January 2010 (Northern Hemisphere)

[mark smyth]

A few years ago I spent just over 2 weeks in Arizona at the South Western Reasearch Station. They had lots of hummer feeders up around the buildings and in the meadow. It was amazing to watch them. At night Mexican long-nosed bats would come to the feeders.

[Lori S.]

That must have been an experience, Mark!  We were there briefly years ago during a day when mist netting and banding were going on.  Stuart was handed a hummer that was still in sort of a state of shock(? - not sure how to describe it) after it had been banded; as it came back to its senses before flying away, he said it felt like a little dynamo in his hand - incredible strength!
You must have seen all of the variety of hummers down there, then?  Fascinating to see.

[Roma]

A few pics taken on Monday (last day we saw the sun)
Brightening up the greenhouse - Erigeron chrysopsidis 'Grand Ridge' has been flowering continuously since I bought it at the Discussion Weekend in October.
Eranthis hyemalis - it is further on now but it has been too wet and dull to take the camera into the garden. Look at the seeds which had germinated under the snow.
Olsynium douglasii must have been trying to break through the icy crust which formed when we had a partial thaw after the first heavy snowfall in December.
Cyclamen coum looks good after four weeks under snow.

[Ragged Robin]

Great to see new life emerging in the winter and know that all is well with old friends   

[David Sellars]

It seems El Nino is giving us quite a warm, wet January. I planted out a tufa garden last spring and Saxifraga 'Franz Liszt' came into flower this week.  Behind to the left you can see Saxifraga 'Jan Neruda' in bud

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Great view David - not likely to be see around here for the next few weeks.

I see that some nasty beasties have enjoyed your Saxes just as much as you do.. 

[mark smyth]

Ranunculus have been producing leaves since November. Here are a couple

[fleurbleue]

What amazing leaves Mark  !

[daveyp1970]

Mark that yellow ones a keeper have you thought about giving it a name.

[Ragged Robin]

How did the yellow one occur Mark - is it the only one?  the markings are gorgeous 

[mark smyth]

The yellow one is named but not by me. It could be Martin Butcher. I'll look in the morning. The top plant needs a name - anyone?

[Ragged Robin]

The yellow one is named but not by me. It could be Martin Butcher. I'll look in the morning. The top plant needs a name - anyone?

Vesuvius

[Diane Whitehead]

Yes.  Vesuvius is apt.

[Katherine J]

Still much snow and hard frost here, no such beautiful colors as shown here before. 

But on this Saxifraga (I have no name for it) I see some buds! I can see only two red buds, but I hope for more.

[Maggi Young]

Looking good, Kata! I think all those rosettes which are elongating from the cushion will show buds before you know it...... let's take a note of the date now and when all those buds are in  flower....... how many weeks do you think??!