While not rare this blue gentian is a bit harder to find than other wildflowers. It prefers wet meadows and I find it scattered here and there and each time I do is a pleasant surprise. So when I found these growing in a ‘lost’ corner of my yard I was thrilled.

Gentiana andrewsii

But now the thrill is gone. Somebody ate the tops off my new prize. A sure sign of Autumn in my yard is the return of the deer. I don’t mind them eating the Hostas. I’ll put up with then munching on the garden phlox. I even let them prune my Lilacs. But they went too far when they munched on the only Gentians on the property. As my hero and role model would say Of course you know this means war

I did find a little consolation prize growing in the lawn. I can’t identify it but this tiny flower is a real beauty.

I don’t have a clue. Wildflower? Garden Escapee? This is so tiny I can only think of thyme when I consider it as an escapee. I’m hoping someone can give me a clue. I probably only need a good smack upside the head so I can focus my thoughts. Right now I’m distracted by trying to figure out just what season it is.

…and other weird, strange and unusual stuff.

Cichorium intybus

Chicory is a wildflower most people would recognize being one of the most common roadside wildflowers around. White Chicory is common enough to get a place my Peterson’s wildflower field guide (forma album) but the white blooms are rarely seem. Or at least by me and I’m the one always on the lookout. Even the National Audubon guide didn’t mention anything about the possibility of white blooms, in fact the guide emphasized blue

I saw these when I went to town today. They were growing in an unmowed ‘green strip’ bordering a parking lot. Hopefully they don’t catch urban blight. Not that I think they’re endangered. Potsdam, NY is a nice little village that can only be described as urban if you just got off the farm. Around here an intersection with houses on each of the 4 corners is a congested area. We’re so undeveloped many of the intersections only have 2 corners.

I get a fair amount of comments about my ability to find weird and strange stuff. Let me just say there’s no real talent involved and here’s a few reasons to back up my claim.

You must have heard the saying opposites attract. I’m living proof that’s untrue or at least an exception to the rule. If you knew me you’d know which it is.

The real reason I find anything at all is because I’m always looking. Always, and nearly never without my camera.

One advantage I have is living in a rural agricultural area that borders wilderness. That really increases the odds Mother Nature is fooling around in my ‘backyard’. Sometimes I have to go out of the way but in a universe of infinite possibilities there’s a good chance something is already right in front of my face. Many of my best ‘finds’ have been within a couple hundred feet of my backdoor.

Ice Wave

click image for wallpaper size (1024 x 768)

Sometimes ‘weird’ is just a perspective. An odd angle, different lighting, macro closeups and even Lady Luck can make something ordinary look like it came from the Twilight Zone.

Holy Flowering Fangs Batman!

There are times when forgetfulness and/or carelessness make you look like you know what you’re doing. I had to use my photo editor to lighten this up and I like it as a desktop background.

Chipmunk

In macro mode with flash – I was taking mushroom photos when this little guy popped up.

The thing is – Mother Nature is going to moon ya sooner or later and you’re going to want a camera when she does.

Toothpaste Slime Mold

There are times I edit photos but they generally aren’t weird. They only prove I am.
Or a Looneytic.

Looney Tunes Wallpaper

There are those who say I’m an Idiot. Now do you believe for a minute an idiot could do this?

YEP. In cases like this it’s the doing and not the ability that makes one an idiot.