Waking up to another crisp sub-zero winter morning has me wishing for a colorful warmer day, like a field of dandelions in the spring, even though they turn white too, but there would be green grass instead of being all white.
Land of Yellow
Picture of the Day for June 21, 2014
It is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, which is when the Sun reaches the farthest point north of the equator and giving us the most hours of sunlight for the whole year. The word solstice is from the Latin solstitium from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), because it appears the sun stops at the solstice.
And today the sun is actually out for a change instead of raining so I can see the longest day of sunlight, which for my area is fifteen hours and thirty-six minutes. But now that we reached the longest day, each day will be shorter and minutes will disappear like the dandelion seeds and before you know it, the ground won’t be covered with white dandelions but with white snow instead.
Disappearing Daylight
Picture of the Day for May 23, 2014
Pretty in yellow? Some fields and lawns are covered in a pretty yellow color, thanks to the dandelion, which is hated some people. I know the bees are enjoying the pretty yellow blossoms and I even think there enough blooming so I can give my mother her Mother’s Day flowers now without the bees missing them.
I don’t mind the yellow but I don’t like when the dandelions turn white and the seeds start blowing since when I mow through them, the little parachute seem to end up by the engine fan and clogs it or get in my face.
Pretty in Yellow
Picture of the Day for May 11, 2014
For this Mother’s Day, I won’t be able to give my mom the usual flowers I give her, one of the early flowers which bloom in the area, the pretty dandelions. Due to the lack of many flowers blooming yet, the honey bees in my yard need the flowers more than my mom does this year.
When honeybees first emerge from their hives in the spring they have typically depleted their winter stores of honey and pollen needed for daily nutrition to sustain their life and “mom’s flowers”, the dandelions provides one of the first important sources of pollen and nectar, prior to when the other spring nectar sources become available.
So mom will have to look at her Mother’s Day flowers as a picture only this year since the honey bees were on the dandelions yesterday.
Mother’s Day Flowers
Picture of the Day for May 24, 2013
A field of dandelions can actually look pretty in the spring time by adding yellow color against the new green grass. The part I hate is when they turn white and the seeds start blowing in my face. But I suppose the finches and other birds are happy to have the seeds to eat and the bees like the nectar and pollen.
Dandelions are thought to have evolved about thirty million years ago in Eurasia and probably arrived in North America on the Mayflower – not as stowaways, but brought on purpose for their medicinal benefits.
That weed most are trying to get rid of, are more nutritious than most of the vegetables in your garden and are among the most expensive items in the grocery store. The roots are dried and sold as a no-caffeine coffee substitute – for $31.75 a pound.
Whether you love them or hate them, dandelions are, quite possibly, the most successful plants that exist; masters of survival worldwide.
Field of Yellow
Picture of the Day for May 12, 2013
On Mother’s Day, moms can get quite the range of presents, which could include some handpicked flowers by their children. This year there is not many flowers to pick since spring is so far behind but I did notice a new crop of dandelions has appeared overnight so I can bring my mom a pretty yellow bouquet of flowers.
Flowers for Mom
Picture of the Day for November 4, 2012
Dandelions may be considered a weed by most people and people are constantly trying to get rid of them, but in the spring the dandelions often provide the first hint of color after the long winter. And just like in the spring, the dandelion often gives the last hint of color in the fall when everything else has turned brown. So it was nice to spot the glimpses of yellow scattered around the lawn this week, although they might not turn to seed before covered with snow or if the chickens get a dandelion treat instead.
Hint of Color
