Unidentified garden plant

Unidentified garden plant, a photo by andiwolfe (temporarily busy) on Flickr.

This is growing in my front garden and I don't know what it is. Help?

Hover fly

Hoverfly, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

I'm starting a summer project to discover the insects that inhabit my garden. This is a hover fly. It looks similar to a bee, and it does pollinate some plants, but it's definitely a fly. There is one set of primary wings and the nubs of remnant wings (the small yellow paddles just above the abdomen). The eyes are humongous and probably give this insect a 360° view of the world.

From Here to Infinity # 2

From Here to Infinity # 2, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

My latest project - just in time for the AAW 2011 symposium. Redwood burl, 4.5 inches in diameter; turned, carved and sandblasted.

Additional views:

Fibonacci and Fractal

Fibonacci and Fractal, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Nature uses repeating motifs and spirals. We live in a fractal universe. Fractals are interesting from a mathematical perspective and there are a lot of really interesting websites and videos posted about them. One has only to look at patterns seen in plant structures, animal coloration patterns, cellular features, and the like to see how prevalent fractals are in nature. 

This photo is of a tree fern frond that is opening.  The type of pattern here is called circinate vernation (specific botanical term for fern fronds), and the spiral pattern is similar to what one sees in a carved fiddle head.  Thus, fern fronds that are emerging are also know as fiddle heads.  This particular tree fern is at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in Cape Town, South Africa.

Here are some sites to check out to learn more about fractals:

Wikipedia article about fractals

Fractal Geometry site at Yale University

17 captivating fractals found in nature

Fractal zoom video:

Stamens at attention!

Stamens at attention!, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Yesterday morning there was no breeze and so I did some photographic studies in the garden. This is a macro photo of the stamens of a yellow day lily I have growing in the back garden. I like to covert images to black and white by using Silver Efex Pro. Black and white photos can bring out details that are lost in the colors of a regular digital image.

The close-up of the anthers reveals individual pollen grains ready to be dispersed by a pollinator.

Whazzit?

Whazzit?, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

There was no wind this morning so I decided to do some macro photography in the garden. I've been seeing a lot of interesting insect photos on Flickr recently, so I was inspired to go on a bug hunt. I came across this interesting insect in the front garden. I've no clue as to what it is. Identification assistance would be appreciated.

Time and reflection

Time and reflection, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Walking around Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, one can come upon all sorts of interesting surprises. It had been raining the previous night, and during my morning walk of the grounds, I came across a sundial. It looked as if someone had placed the flower there as a remembrance. Perhaps it was for a photo, though. At any rate, it was too good a scene to pass by without taking a picture.

Neon daisies

Neon daisies, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

I don't know what genus and species of Asteraceae this is, but the common name should be "neon daisy." The color is so vibrant, even in partial shade. These were growing in Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Cape Town. I'm sure they grow wild somewhere in South Africa, but I'm not sure where.

Cape Canary

Cape Canary, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

I spent a bit of time on the morning of October 14, 2010 watching the Cape canaries working over the flowers at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. The colorful backdrop combined with the bright yellow of the bird made for some interesting photographic studies. I'll post a series of images over the next several days.

The eyes have it

The eyes have it, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Spotted Eagle Owls were nesting in Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden during my field season last September-October. I arrived in Cape Town while the eggs were incubating. One chick hatched and gave us quite a show during the last few days of my visit to Cape Town.

Here's another view:

Kirstenbosch

Kirstenbosch, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Table Mountain is the major landmark of Cape Town, South Africa. I've climbed it, hiked it, photographed it from a variety of angles, and am totally smitten by this mountain. The view from Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is of the backside of the mountain with Fernwood Buttress (shown here) the dominant rock face.

Leucospermum

Leucospermum, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

The Proteaceae has an incredible amount of diversity and some of the loveliest inflorescences amongst all flowering plants. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden (Cape Town) has a wonderful and extensive collection of native species as well as cultivated ones.

Dietes

Dietes, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Another Kirstenbosch photo. Dietes sp. (Iridaceae) from Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa.

One would think that all these South Africa photos from September -October 2010 would be processed. I think it's an indication of just how busy the 2010-2011 academic year was for me. Spring Quarter 2011 just ended. I have a research quarter Autumn 2011, which should help me to catch up on everything that has piled up at school. I need to spend more time on the bench, but I especially need to find time to write up the several completed research projects from the past year. Grant proposals are also looming ahead. No teaching for awhile, but I will be pretty busy none-the-less.

A path to follow...

A path to follow..., a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

There are so many interesting nooks and crannies at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. This charming path goes up to the cycad garden. I love that you can see so many "signature" plants from South Africa in this image, including Streilitzia (bright orange flowers on left), aloes (tree-form, upper right), and plants typical of the Fynbos biome all along the path.

"......Give me your answer, do!"

"......Give me your answer, do!", a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

I have no idea what genus this is, but it's a lovely inflorescence of the Asteraceae. Photographed at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Cape Town.