Back at the old house, the large persimmon tree in the neighbor’s garden would produce fruit at a level far from reach for any human. By December the ripening persimmons drew the attention of crows or ravens. Painting in progress by D.Lopez #art #painting #crows #ravens #autumn #persimmons #seasons

Making Sikil Pak, a Mayan pumpkin seed spread, toasted then milled and mixed with onions, garlic, tomatoes and chilies. 🌶️ #traditionalfoods #vegan #vegetarian #homecooking #protein #pumpkinseeds

I forgot! I planted chard. Plants take care of themselves. #garden #gardening #eatgreens #eatyourveggies

A western bluebird perched on a fence post 🪶. Arana Gulch in Santa Cruz, California during my visit. #bird #birds #naturalism #path #california

Aloe Vera will not survive the drop in temperature. To avoid it becoming sludge I bring it indoors. #plantcare #plants #aloe #houseplants

Back in my kitchen window, a ‘joker’ ornamental pepper plant gives off a holiday vibe. #houseplants #plants #peppers

A beautiful rest stop driving north. #pacificnorthwest #trees #roadtrip

Antique store painting by Dean J Hyde of Southern California. #landscapeartist #artist #art #oilpainting #painting #landscapeart

Rare beauty. A monarch butterfly sunning her wings in sunny California. #california #butterfly #monarchbutterfly #pollinators #california

In my area, it’s time to harvest and process the wild rosehips for their medicine. They appear in time for cold and flu season. Intelligent nature. #rose #wildrose #flora #nativeplants #garden #gardening #pacificnorthwest #naturalmedicine #nativemedicine

Nootka Rose, Rosa nutkana,is used medicinally by a great number of indigenous peoples to treat a wide variety of ailments, and also ceremonially, in handcrafts, and as a food source. I have two shrubs. #nativeflora #nativegarden #rose #plantmedicine #pacificnorthwest

Eventually this native California wild grape (Vitis californica) will change to a lovely red and yellow color with the drop in temperature. #nativeplants #nativeflora #gardening #garden #grapevine

Persimmon season. #persimmons #autumnfood #treats

Hello mushroom 🍄‍🟫 people. #fungus #fungi #pacificnorthwest

Misty morning with autumn trees. #trees #autumn #pacificnorthwest

We did not collect Halloween candy this year. I was still cajoled by family members to make sweet treats. Another recipe with tahini -salted caramel fudge with dates. #treats #vegan #tahini #easyfixings #homemade

A pacific gopher snake blends with the woodland duff. #hike #pacificnorthwest #snake #reptiles #trail

Still collecting tomatoes in October. 😁 #gardening #garden #growyourfood

I hope all of you are well. Autumn in my world 🍂 #autumn

A Mylitta Crescent butterfly is one of the many species showing up this September. #garden #gardening #butterfly #pollinators #pollinatorgarden #gardeningforwildlife

A 30 minute drive can easily bring me to a lovely hike. Waterfalls abound in the Pacific Northwest. #getoutside #naturalworld #waterfalls #naturalist #pacificnorthwest #hike #naturalconnection

The Riverbank Lupine blooms again this year. #nativeplants #nativeflora #plants #garden #gardening #flora #lupine

Every year these strange mushrooms appear near the birch tree. Is it the dead man’s foot mushroom? (There is such a thing 😆) #mushrooms #mushroom #fungi #fungus #garden

I'm attending this event. RT if you think others will find this helpful 🙌 www.plantsforthepeople.com

Salvia mexicana (Mexican sage) is a hummingbird favorite. The bloom color is stunning and calls our attention. #salvia #garden #gardening #flowers #plants #flora

Strawberry Fields globe amaranth has a small but pigment-popping bloom. Pretty from a distance. #flowers #garden #gardening

Jambalaya meets Pozole. A spicy plant based sausage, hominy, sweet peppers, smokey Cajun spices and a garnish of cabbage made this first soup of the season hit. #plantbased #vegetarianfood #veganfood #homecooking #soup #food #mealtime#vegetarian

Blanket flower, bidens, marigolds and narrow leaf cud weed, intermingle in a shared flowerbed. #garden #gardening #pollinatorgarden #flowers #plants

For a year round garden, I have a collection of salvias that bloom in late summer to early fall. My hummingbird attractant 🪶 . #birds #birdgarden #garden #gardeningforwildlife

Moonrise #moon #sky #lookup

In September, the garden becomes a bramble of mixed foliage. #gardening #garden #plants #flowers #pacificnorthwest

Another working bug in the garden. #garden #gardening #insects #preyingmantis

If the strawberry plants produce runners you will find daughter-plants ready for propagation. I clip and grow roots in water, indoors. Gifts for my neighbors. #garden #gardening #strawberries

Working bugs: The American Hoverfly is welcome in my garden. This little one preys on aphids. Seen here with Elegant Tarweed. #nativeplants #nativeflora #nativefauna #naturalpestcontrol #pacificnorthwest #insects #garden #gardening

An American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) lands in the garden. #butterflies #butterfly #wildlife #butterflygardens

As the heat escalates warm loving life forms appear. Reptiles, grasses, salvias, ceanothus, and raptors. The garden accommodates this group. #ecosystem #gardening #garden #gardeningforwildlife #habitat #pacificnorthwest

American pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo, climbs the fence. Can she bear the weight of her fruit at the 5 ft height? Vine plants are clever, and pretty. #pumpkin #garden #gardening

Bunch grasses or butterfly houses? Bunch grasses work well for sheltering anise swallowtail butterflies, moths and dancers. #gardeningforwildlife #insects #bugs #insecthotels #grass #plants #gardening #garden

#sunflower #sunflowers #garden #gardening #pollinators #plants

Pacific Grape/California wild grape (Vitis californica) is a deciduous vine, native to western North America. An 8” stick last fall; now is 7 ft. tall.In autumn the leaves will turn red and bring color to the garden. #nativeflora #nativeplants #plants #gardening #garden #nativeplantsofnorthamerica

At the St. Francis arbor, the birds spend a lot of time playing and snacking. #gardening #garden #gardenfeatures #gardeningforwildlife

More wildlife show up. A flock of turkeys show up in the driveway. This year I have encouraged so much wildlife to visit the front and back garden area. I provide clean sources of water in various areas, especially on hot days. #wildlife #supportwildlife #animalfriends #turkey #birds #garden

Heat can accelerate the activity of many plants. Some plants will end their cycle and go to seed, while others like pumpkins and sunflowers will increase their productivity. Knowing the cycles of each plant, we can have a year-around garden. #garden #gardening #plantcycles #yeararoundgardening

In downtown Kingsport, Tennessee, many public art displays feature representative values of the city. #publicart #wildlifeart #tennessee #thingsthatmatter #travel

Vernonia gigantea, also known as Giant Ironweed, is a tall, perennial wildflower native to the eastern and central United States. From my travels to Bays Mountain Park in Tennessee. Attracts Butterflies. #plantsofnorthamerica #nativeflora #nativeplants #naturepark #flora #plants #pollinatorplants

Hanging over the fence, wild blackberries grow over and into my garden. Drought tolerant and the maker of juicy berries. #summergarden #garden #blackberries #flora #pacificnorthwest #plantsofnorthamerica

Oregon Caves National Monument. At 41 degrees F, it is a cool, quiet, dark, place descending 220 ft below the surface. Calcite crystals, straws and flowstone sculpt the ceilings and walls. Underground streams and trickling water are all about. #explore #caves #underground #trekking #pacificnorthwest

Meanwhile, back in my 99 degree Fahrenheit garden, it’s time to make medicine. Solarize and steep your jars of tea. Pictured here: butterfly pea tea and green tea. Both have antioxidant value. Later refrigerate and sip. Easy medicine. #plantmedicines #suntea #makemedicine #herbal #herbaltea #tea

Sunflowers finally bloom in July. #garden #gardening #summertime #sunflowers

Diamond Lake. No summer crowds. A peaceful moment. Snow in July. #roadtrip #oregon #pacificnorthwest #summertime