Chihuly?

My guess is this isn't Chihuly.  (see here)  We went into a sushi restaurant, looked up and saw 3 chandeliers.  They look like Chihuly, and the waiter said they were expensive, but looking online, there are a lot of blown glass lights for sale that are "Chihuly style."  They're very cool anyway.

New cafe

Caretta Coffee and Cafe just opened in North Raleigh.  It's named after the Loggerhead sea turtle.  Their first location is in Hilton Head, and they are dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles.  See here.

Dr. J

We found this t-shirt on the greenway, and I was sure someone lost a treasure.  Julius Erving played for the 76ers from 1976-1987.   How could a shirt that old be in such good shape?  And who would have been so careless with a classic?  

Well, this retro t-shirt is for sale online for $15.  Who knew?

Rainy day

Finally some rain!  The crepe myrtles were drooping and wet.

Crepe Myrtle time!

It's crepe myrtle time right now.  Bright pink, white and lavender trees everywhere!

Copperhead

Taking an evening walk, we ran into this guy.  He wasn't very big, you can compare him to the blades of grass in the picture (about a foot long).  But he is definitely a copperhead with his triangular head and hourglass markings.  He didn't like the camera flash and slid into the grass next to the sidewalk.

I've been watching where I walk all the time now!

Good advice

I thought this was good advice in the crazy world we live in...

Mushroom season

We're getting into that time of year when the hot, humid weather makes the mushrooms pop up daily.  

Wild Raspberries

Most of the wild raspberries I've seen are mostly all seeds.  This bunch looked like they might even be worth picking.  I think the birds will get them before they're ripe though.

Wood Sage

This flower was growing all over, but it was hard to find an identification.  There must be many varieties, because many of the pictures don't look like the plant I saw.  Turns out it's a Wood Sage: (here.) Although if you google search you find just as many entries for a cologne with Wood Sage and Sea Salt...

Lizard's tail

No, not a reptile at all.  It's a wetlands plant called lizard's tail because of the way the flowers grow.  They're pretty much native to the Eastern US. (see here)

Another look at doors

Southern ladies take their door decor seriously.

It's a wonderful life...

Bedford at Falls River is a nearby housing development.  It has taken the old Jimmy Stewart movie: "It's a wonderful Life"  very seriously.  There is a street called Zuzu place, a park called Bailey park, even a Pottersville.  This is Clarence's park, named after the angel in the movie.

Bunny rabbit

I teach an English class to refugees, and one of my new arrivals from Congo asked me about the rabbits that seem to be everywhere.  He said in his country if an animal doesn't belong to anyone, it's fair game.  So of course he said there are very few wild animals outside of the game parks.  I think he was planning on rabbit dinner.

Southern door decor

Nearly every door in this area is decorated with a wreath.  I've seen adds for wreath makers on "Nextdoor" and it seems to be a thing.  Here are some I saw within a few blocks of each other...

This one matches the door.

This one is pretty elaborate.

Cardinal

So eye catching, the cardinal is the state bird of  North Carolina, and 6 other states, the most of all the state birds.

Woodpecker in the rain

This Red bellied Woodpecker found a place to hide out from the rain under a suet feeder.  Food and shelter in one place.

Bee nice

I got so excited.  I was sure I was seeing a rusty patched bumble bee.  They are an endangered species,(see here)  and I've been watching for them. But instead this one is an Eastern carpenter bee. (see here)  My husband has been warring with them in the spring, trying to keep them from putting holes in the house.  Oh well.

Towhee

The Towhees are everywhere right now, hopping around on the grass looking for bugs.  Their shrieking whistle is very distinctive, as is their coloring.

Here's a link to their call.

Hot summer day

On a hot summer day, the paddle boats at Pullen park are always busy.  You can barely see the little toot toot train crossing the bridge over the boats.

Little friend

This little guy is TINY!  I found him on a pepper plant when I was picking off caterpillars in the garden.  I was sure I'd never identify him, but I searched for tiny green cricket, and his picture came right up.  He's a nymph of a bush Katydid-Scuddaria furcata.  I hope he eats bugs and not plants...

Andy

Recognise him?  It's not Mayberry, but Pullen park has a statue in honor of North Carolina's native son, Andy Griffith.  You can see the whole statue here.

House Finch

This guy is the male of one of the pairs at our feeder these days.  We've seen some finches fluttering around like they are not too good at flying yet, I think we must have had a nest or two in the trees.

Flowering Magnolias

It's magnolia time again!  You can smell the lemony odor before you even see the flowers.

The last veggie

Here's the last of my garden flowers.  A not so sweet pea.  It's really hard to grow peas here in the hot weather.  They end up wilting in the heat, and then get mildew in the humidity.  I'm not sure why I keep trying, but fresh snap peas are sooo good!

No mystery here

There should be no mystery here, it's a tomato of course.

Another Veggie

Got this one?  It's a Jalapeno Pepper.

Flowering veggies continued

You might guess this one, tall purple flowers, grass like leaves...It's chives.  

Mystery plant

Guessed what it is?  

It's 4 feet tall, lacy leafed, and coming out with lovely white flower clusters...give up?  

Carrot!  

I let the end of the garden go last fall, and the carrots bolted this spring.  I doubt if the root is worth eating, but the plant is amazing.

Hydrangeas!

They're finally blooming, and as blue as can be!  (Probably the coffee grounds I've been dumping on them).  So lovely, but they sure don't like the mid day heat.