A favorite spot when we come here. There is a bench under the trees which offers welcoming shade.
No sign of the beaver, and the beaver lodge nearby looks a bit dismantled. I am wondering if they have moved on.
Looking across from the other side of the pond. The pathway goes all the way around.
We were here on the 19th June. The weather was lovely. I think the temperature was about 80 degrees. F. (26 degrees C. (?)). The heat didn't bother me as it wasn't humid. My dear other half, being a southern Virginia lad his whole life, let's just say the more heat and humidity, the better he likes it. It is the humidity that will turn me into a puddle. (As I type this at 2.29 p.m. on 6-25-25, it is currently 93 degrees F. (34 degrees C.) and I hear thunder - a few degrees cooler than yesterday. For the next few days we will be having thunderstorms and showers, so I don’t think we will be going for walks.
I have started using my cell phone full-time for photo taking. When I need to get a closer look to something far away, I ask Gregg for the camera with the zoom lens. He uses it mostly because a) he enjoys taking photos too and b) it's a bit too heavy for me to carry. He jokingly tells me he is my porter/Jeeves. He bought me a shorter lanyard for my phone that goes around my wrist, and I hardly notice it when I am walking along, until I need that photo.
The following is called Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) and native to the United States. It is found in marshes and along the borders of muddy ponds, which is where we found this one. I have only seen it grow in the wild but it can be cultivated for the garden or as a house plant. Also, it is non-toxic to humans and pets, not considered a weed and likes full sun.
I always enjoy finding out the origins of plants name histories if I can. My plant app - PictureThis - says the name is a tribute to the 16th-century Italian botanist Giulio Pontedera. The genus name was given to recognize Pontedera's contributions to botany. 'Cordata' refers to the plant's heart-shaped leaves, with 'cordate' meaning heart-shaped in Latin. Commonly known as 'pickerelweed', it likely derives its name from its popularity as a hiding spot for pickerel, a type of fish, as they seek shelter amongst its leaves and stems in their natural aquatic habitat.
Hi Denise, I did follow the link to see the 🦫 🦫 beavers. I love this entire series. The flowers 💐 the bee 🐝 and the Waterlilies are absolutely stunning and captivating. Wonderful post and photos, dear friend 🧡
ReplyDeleteSo kind of you to say dear friend, and thank you so much!
DeleteReally wonderful place, tranquility!!
ReplyDeleteThe beavers are very beautiful and the water lilies incredible!!
I'm sure as you say you had a great time.
Lately Denise and I have been taking more photos with my mobile phone!!
The bee you photographed is amazing.
Happy Sunday Denise!!
Thank you Katerina! I appreciate your comment very much. Most definitely tranquility :) Our mobile phone has become our camera, and each new version's capability because even better than the last. Happy Sunday to you also :)
DeleteI love the cute beaver! I would have been happy just with the lily pads, and he is an added wonder. Did you even take to bee shot with your cell phone? Very nice! I have never seen any Buttonbush, but we do have the Pickerelweed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ginny, yes I took the photo of the bee with my cell phone. It didn't seem to bother with me getting closer, though I used my zoom a little. One thing that they haven't perfected yet, is its zoom. I still get blurry ones if I try to capture too close a picture with it. Both flowers grow in abundance at that pond, elsewhere too.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place for a walk. And/or for a sit. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Sue and thank you :)
DeleteA lovely, peaceful place to wander or just to sit.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is, thank you Janice :)
DeleteLovely there to walk around and view it all.
ReplyDelete26 deg c sounds a good temperature, 34 deg C is getting rather warm and I would inside keeping cool.
Plenty of water lilies there it must look a picture of colour when they come out in flower.
Take care.
Yes, we weren't walking anywhere today :) you take care too Margaret :)
DeleteWonderful photos. Looks like a great place :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you Anank, much appreciate that :)
DeleteSuch a beautiful place! The buttonbush looks so pretty...but who would have thought they are toxic for humans.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree but then I suppose a lot of plants can be the same way :)
DeleteBeautiful photos, cute capture of the beaver. The lily pads are a lovely sight.
ReplyDeleteTake care, have a great day and happy week ahead.
Thank you Eileen, I appreciate your nice comment and I wish you the same :)
DeleteThat first picture … what a serene view. Great picture of the beaver too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, and how I have been enjoying your Alaska photos!!!
DeleteLovely place.
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine :)
Deleteone of the reasons I did not replace my camera when it died is the heaviness of it. Bob used to carry mine, I had 2 cameras and a bag of lens, so plenty to carry. also we don't do this anymore and have not for 5 years, I miss it, but he can't do it now
ReplyDeletethis is lovely place,and I hope the beavers are ok
Understand completely Sandra, it's the evolution of things in the camera world. I keep hoping technology will produce a good zoom for the smart phone one day :) I hope the beavers are too but the ones we used to see in another park several miles from here moved on also, and we were told they did it on their own and moved elsewhere voluntarily.
DeleteIt would be a treat to see a Beaver doing his building. This is a lovely place to walk. I'm with you on humidity and melting. How nice that you have someone to carry the heavy camera. :) Great photos.
ReplyDeleteI have seen what they do first hand and they are impressive and clever little engineers :) Thank you Ellen! I hope you are keeping cool Ellen, I have stayed indoors today for the most part.
DeleteWhat lovely pictures, Denise. I wish you & I could visit while sitting on the bench you mentioned, feeling a cool breeze blow & talking about how much we're alike. Perhaps one day we can and if not here, then in heaven. Love, Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteNow that would be very nice, such a sweet comment. Thank you my dear friend with love and a hug xoxo
DeleteThat's a lot of lily pads in the pond. Need some froggies? Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteAlways welcome the froggies Linda :)
DeleteThis is really a lovely setting. Beaver makes it even better. Hopefully they come back. I enjoy the flowers and the information.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Sandra :) thank you, so glad you enjoyed.
DeletePickerel weed is eye catching. You explained about the plant so it all made sense.
ReplyDeleteThanks Red, I try to get my facts right on these plants :)
DeleteI don't know much about beavers but it seems that around here their dams have a lifecycle. They build a new dam and are pretty active and then they leave for some reason.
ReplyDeleteOn our Turkey Mountain Wilderness Area. There are nine ponds that are stocked for fish by the state. The people in charge of the area say that the beavers stay together and will eat all the fish stocked by the state, and then all waddle a long ways to the next pond and do the same thing.
That's really interesting Yogi, thanks for sharing that :)
DeleteIt looks a lovely place, great photographs.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the remainder of your weekend.
All the best Jan
Thank you Jan, the place is full of photo opps and they change each time. I hope your weekend was a lovely one and all the best to you too :)
DeleteDenise what fun and beautiful photos
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
Thank you Cecilia, so nice of you to say :)
DeleteHi Denise. There are Beavers in Devon now. That is the four legged types with the big teeth.🤣
ReplyDeleteThey did Roy? Well I never :)
DeleteWould be sad if the beavers moved away. They are fascinating creatures!
ReplyDeleteThe heat and humidity do me in, too. Been hot early this year.
I don't think I have ever seen a buttonbush. They almost look startled when they bloom--lol! Very nice.
Hope you are having a great day. :)
Hi Rita, it would be but as I am learning, they do move on eventually. I was chatting to my family in Europe today, they are having a heatwave over there too. Yes, way too hot, way to early :) I like that, a good description of the buttonbush that made me smile, thank you my friend. Had a good day thank you, and I hope you did too.
DeleteLindas flores. ten un lindo domingo. Te mando un beso
ReplyDeleteMe alegra que hayas disfrutado de las flores. Espero que hayas tenido un buen fin de semana. Te mando un beso :)
DeleteI have met button bush plenty of times in the wilderness. Not a fun experience.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so sorry! I didn't think they were that big a problem. How so if you don't mind my asking?
DeleteVirginia is so full of beautiful places to see and admire. I have loved visiting there.
ReplyDeleteThis pond looks so inviting.
That makes me very happy you have visited Virginia Val. I'm glad you loved it here :)
DeleteWhat a lovely place this is.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann, happy you think so :)
DeleteAren't lily pads restful looking? And I love that buttonbush. I've never seen those!
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are and I'm happy to introduce the buttonbush to you. Thanks Jeanie :)
DeleteInteresting post. I grew up in Virginia, but I have never gotten used to the humidity or extreme heat. I slow down once the temperature reaches 80°F, and I begin to melt at about 85°.
ReplyDeleteThat’s very interesting Linda. It sounds like we are affected in the same way. I had always thought that because the hubs was born and grew up in this state, that it must have been why he had no trouble with hot and humid months. Thanks for letting me know that is not the case :)
DeleteA combination of phone photos and a zoom camera is what we use as well and seems to work well. We both enjoy taking photos and was one of the interests that first bought us together all those years ago. I'm glad you enjoyed your latest visit to Walney park. It looks very peaceful.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does and how wonderful is that? Lovely to have that in common right from the very beginning of knowing each other :) Yes, it was very peaceful and always enjoy.
Delete