Monochromatic play with Claire Giordano.
tahoma
Month: September 2024
Eucalyptus
There are about 800 species in the Eucalyptus genus; correct identification can be tricky, as features may vary with genetics, environment and tree age. I’m making an educated guess* that the ones at Peter Strauss Ranch in Agoura Hills are manna/ribbon/white gums, native to south-eastern Australia.
One thing I find intriguing is the huge variation in gumnut (fruit) size from species to species, from 3mm to 60 or more mm wide. There’s no correspondence with the tree’s height; I wonder what factors determine this feature. These ones are definitely at the small end of the spectrum.
*Ref: Taller Eucalypts for Planting in Australia by Dean Nicolle
waiting
I arrived at the appointed spot 10 minutes early, so sketched the ficus on the opposite corner. Waiting is never boring when you have a sketchbook in your bag!
Abelmoschus esculentus
Okra originated in East Africa and was introduced to Europe in the 8th century CE, and to the Americas in the 17th century. Abelmoschus esculentus is cultivated throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. It is among the most heat- and drought-tolerant vegetable species in the world.
The pods of the plant are mucilaginous, resulting in the characteristic “goo” when the seed pods are cooked; the mucilage contains soluble fiber. One possible way to de-slime okra is to cook it with an acidic food, such as tomatoes.
Young okra leaves may be eaten cooked or raw. Okra seeds may be roasted and ground to form a caffeine-free substitute for coffee. Greenish-yellow oil is pressed from okra seeds; it has a pleasant taste and odor, and is high in unsaturated fats such as oleic acid and linoleic acid. A useful plant indeed!
macrofungi
From a class with Jean Mackay.
Saxicola rubicola
limuw
After all these years of living nearby, I finally paid a visit to Santa Cruz Island (limuw) with the Channel Islands Nature Journalers. I was keen to spot the extremely cute, iconic Island Fox, and was not disappointed. Urocyon littoralis is a small fox species that is endemic to six of the eight Channel Islands of California, with a unique sub-species occupying each island. They are generally docile, show little fear of humans, and have figured out how to open backpacks to get at your sandwiches.
It was a lovely day spent with like-minded, happy folks. Thanks to Karen and Jeyla for organising the trip.
shakkei
Some days I forget to relish the view. Today I feel double gratitude, for the place that I live and for the partner who likes to sculpt a little surprise and delight.
Solanum lycopersicum
I’d never noticed that a tomato’s seeds were arranged radially inside the fruit.
Tomato seeds are remarkably resilient, surviving the heat of the compost bin and the acids of the mammalian digestive tract. Every time I spread compost on my garden, tomato seedlings pop up, and I’m happy to let these volunteers grow*. Given the competition from other hungry critters, I usually pick the fruit at first blush and ripen it indoors.
*Squash/pumpkin seedlings, on the other hand, are plucked at first sight. I don’t have room for their sprawl.
Poecile atricapillus
Charcoal and graphite. From a class with Maggie Hurley.
hashiworks 