Saturday, May 17

Flora and Fauna



This is a detail of a tree in our backyard. It has been here for 26 years and this is the first time it has bloomed. I have no idea what kind of tree it is.....do you? Below is a photo of the fallen blossoms. As you can see, they are star-shaped and pale lavender in color.

This salamander, or whatever he is, paid us a visit this week. He must have been embarrassed about something - he was blushing!!



He decided to visit Michele the bookish frog (named after you-know-who) and my puppy, who has become even more handicapped over the winter. He now sports a broken hip, as well as a missing foot. Poor pup.



This is the new glass froggy I got for Mother's Day. He has taken a place of honor in the kitchen window, and just today he was given some new friends (salt and pepper shakers). Mr. kenju says......"That's what we need - more frogs!!"



Isn't he handsome?

25 comments:

Mahala said...

That's a darn spiffy frog!

That's weird about the tree.

Jamie Dawn said...

That frog is so cute! Mr. Kenju better hope you don't kiss one of your frogs and get a prince!!!
:-)

I dunno what kind of tree it is, but the blossoms are sure pretty.

JeanMac said...

More frogs - funny - men!!!

Anonymous said...

I am definitely not an expert on trees, but your tree looks like one that I used to see along S Beach Blvd in Orange County CA--I think it was called a Jacaranda mimosifolia. WikiPedia has a photo here: http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2006/06/jacaranda_mimosifolia.php
Cop Car

Anonymous said...

The address was too long. Here's the rest (duplicating several characters so that you can "find your place".

2006/06/jacaranda_mimosifolia.php
CC
P.S. You may find many photos of the Jacaranda mimosifolia by Googling, of course.

Anonymous said...

After going on for two comments, I've taken another look at your photos and will not be offended if you ignore my previous suggestion. The trees that I saw had bugle-shaped blossoms. Back to the drawing board! Sorry.
CC

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Your New Froggy is darling, Judy. I LOVE the color. One cannot have too many Frogs, is my motto. (lol)

Bobkat said...

He is indeed very handsome and sweet.

I have no idea what type of tree you have but it looks wonderful!

kenju said...

Cop car, thanks for trying. I did look at your link, and the foliage on that tree is very simmilar to mine, even though the blooms are different. It may be in the same family (it does look somewhat tropical).

Miss Kim said...

I adore that glass frog- he's beauty-full! He must make you smile :)

Eddie said...

Judy,
As you know, I took a picture of a red faced salamander too. Maybe we should not tell such off-color jokes around them.

Unknown said...

I love your little frog! Frogs are wonderful and worthy of being collected! I especially love Frog Princes. Any frog with a little crown and a velvet jacket just makes me swoon!

I have a collection of "little things" that I started when I was about nine. It continues to flourish. I have animals, tiny baskets, ceramics, all kinds of things; most only 2" or under.

Don't know a thing about your tree, though! Could you enlist the help of your local university?

Anonymous said...

I think the tree is called Wisteria. Well thats what it's called in England. This is a English site with a close up look Hope this is helpful
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/993.shtml

Great frogs.

Susan

kenju said...

Thanks, Susan. I appreciate the link. Wisteria has a pendulous blossom and these are clustered closely to the branch of the tree. One day I'll find someone who knows!

Anonymous said...

Have you tried the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Identification Guide? It is at:

http://www.arborday.org/trees/
treeID.cfm

I forced the line break to make the whole address visible. Before going there, I suggest that you cut off a small branch of your tree to look at because some of the questions that are asked are quite detailed!

Cop Car

Anil P said...

In 26 years, that's some length of time.

I've known of bamboo that flower once in their lifetimes, not trees.

The blossoms are lovely indeed.

whimsical brainpan said...

Wonderful pics!

I love the frog. :-)

kenju said...

Thanks, Cop Car. I went through it, but it came up with Ash, and I know it isn't that. I guess I'll try it again, when I have one in my hand.

Tabor said...

This tree has me intrigued. We have something called a Paulownia tree that grows here and looks a little like that, but I think the flowers are more like bells.

Anonymous said...

Not wisteria? I have two plastic frogs that sit under my monitor. Sometimes I put them in compromising positions.

Thanks for the well wishes on my birthday and new grandson. What a nice birthday present, huh!

Weary Hag said...

The tree is lovely and I feel as though it also lived in an old backyard of mine but couldn't begin to tell you the type. I have an idea ... just enjoy it for being a lovely tree. :)
The froggie is marvelous and you should remind Mr. Kenju that he needs to be very happy all your froggies are the no-heart-beating, stand-still-all-their-lives type. :)

Anonymous said...

Could this be a lilac tree?

Shephard said...

The blossom photo is stunning.
~S

kenju said...

No, it isn't lilac. Lilacs have a pendulous blossom similar to wisteria, but smaller. These are clustered to the branches of the tree. But thanks for trying!

Shephard said...

Oops, Michele sent me!
~S