Day 4949: Neglected Garden & Denmark's Wildflower Islands.

"and ...": junk collage.

                                                                       

  

Want music?

    Click: Minnie Riperton, Memory Lane.

2GN2S

"One species absolutely does not have the right 

to overrun the planet"    Maya Lin

I looked out into my little yard from my work-space today.

Pangs of guilt, as I haven't taken the care needed. I have a call in to Jesse who works miracles, and I am sure the plants love it when he takes over.

Things are overgrown and untended. Sprinklers no longer work, but I have mainly succulents and hardy plants. Some of the planters give me dirty looks?

Seems harder to juggle all my tasks, and the garden ball fell.

I remember a rogue 6" palm sprouting in the corner years ago.

A voice in my head said "pull that out or it will be huge."

I didn't and now it is.  I really hate to kill anything living.

So during my period of AWOL, it has overrun the area.

Now 9' tall, it seems determined to take over, 

maybe a bully or just an over achiever of the plant world?

It is so healthy and strong. Vibrant even.

I may compromise and cut it back, and let it grow tall?

Then again, I am short and already unable to reach?

Like these less aggressive palms, once 3' and ailing.

Rescued from a neighbor's trash, and now over 12' high.
But, tall and skinny, they threaten no one. 

The adjacent Sago palm, is hanging in, but besieged by 

pesty pine needles from the gigantic pine trees.

Looking straight up, 

the three story pine and neighboring trees just watch.

There is hope, Jesse is coming soon.

   

Some say cities aren't for wildlife. Denmark disagrees. They're putting wildflower islands in the harbor and letting nature move in.

Copenhagen has introduced floating wildflower islands in its harbor as part of an effort to bring nature back into urban waterways. The project, known as "Copenhagen Islands" or "Parkipelago," was developed by Australian artist and architect Marshall Blecher and the Danish studio Fokstrot. The platforms are built from recycled materials and planted with wildflowers, grasses, and small trees.

The islands serve as habitats for birds, bees, insects, and marine life in an area that was previously open water surrounded by concrete. They float freely in the harbor and are accessible to kayakers and swimmers. Some are used by locals for picnics, while others are left untouched to serve as wildlife sanctuaries.

The project has drawn international attention as an example of how cities can integrate biodiversity into existing infrastructure without taking up land. Several of the islands have already attracted nesting birds and pollinators, proving that even small interventions can create meaningful change in urban ecosystems.

 

  

 

A 6+ minute video, Ice Pepper, here.

 

Just because ...

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) has captured the internet's imagination due to its striking resemblance to the characters from the popular mobile game "Angry Birds". This tiny, long-tailed songbird, weighing less than a nickel, sports a distinctive "unibrow" look during the breeding season that gives it a comical, permanent scowl. While it may look frustrated, this appearance is actually a result of black plumage feathers above its eyes, which contrast sharply with its pale blue-gray body. These birds are incredibly active and acrobatic, often flitting through the high canopies of North American forests to snatch small insects mid-air. Their high-pitched, wheezy songs and constant motion make them a favorite for birdwatchers who enjoy tracking their lively, energetic behavior across the woodland landscape.

Beyond its viral appearance, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a master of architectural innovation in the avian world. They construct intricate, cup-shaped nests using spiderwebs and lichens, which allow the nest to actually stretch as the chicks grow larger. This elastic design ensures the structural integrity of the home remains intact against the elements. Despite their small size, these birds are fiercely territorial and will aggressively protect their nesting sites from much larger intruders. This bold personality, combined with their unique visual "attitude," serves as a wonderful example of how nature often packs a tremendous amount of character and resilience into its smallest packages, proving that a formidable presence doesn't always require a large stature.

Friday's Smiles ... 

 

Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.