Joan Ambu Archives – Page 32 of 96 – Strength Of The Small

One Interesting Afternoon

By JM PerezJuly 18, 20142 min read644 views

I have kept busy finishing a few backyard projects and tending to my Gardens.

We finally caught one of the many Pocket Gophers which have been digging holes and leaving mounds of dirt all over my front yard. What a relief! I found a couple of holes at the far end of my backyard and we will be setting another trap.

I found an adult female Black Widow Spider by my front porch and squashed it with my shoe.

According to Wikipedia, female spiders are often 20 times the mass of the males of the same species and produce much more venom than the other sex. Only females are of medical concern, as the shorter, weaker jaws of the males cannot penetrate mammalian skin. The neurotoxin of these spiders is, by volume, considered among the most toxic produced in nature, and by volume is more toxic than most snake venom. It is 15 times more virulent than that of the prairie rattlesnake.

We spent an interesting afternoon at the Mojave Narrows Regional Park. It was our first time there and the kids enjoyed the peaceful sight as we walked around.

While walking around the fishing lake, we saw a fisherman directing a snake away from him. As I freaked out, he told us it was a Gopher Snake and explained that the reptile only goes after rodents, but will bite humans if threatened. I didn’t care about the non venomous bite lecture, I was out of there. He cautioned us to be watchful around the park as the reptiles are out and about around burrows and on trees in search of prey.

Wishing you a beautiful start to your weekend.

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By JM Perez

Nature High Desert

Still Pictures: Full Moon Rising

By JM PerezJuly 12, 20141 min read1K views

What an absolutely lovely Full Moon tonight. It was delightful watching it rise above the mountains.

“The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.” — Confucius

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By JM Perez

Hummingbird Moth Hummingbird Hawk Moth Caterpillars

Hummingbird Moth Life Cycle

By JM PerezJuly 2, 20141 min read14.7K views

Early this month my kids suggested we collect a couple of Caterpillars of the White-lined Sphinx (Hummingbird Moth) and Hummingbird Hawk-Moth feasting on the Gaura Lindheimeri plants in the front yard garden (we got five in total during their second development stage of instar).

Hummingbird Hawk-Moth Life Cycle.
Image Source: AnimalBook.org.

*Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar second instar stage.*

A few days ago, most of our active, fascinating and ferocious eaters began to lose appetite. They started searching for a place to pupate, slightly shrunk in size and turned brown.

The first Hummingbird Moth emerged from its chrysalis approximately two weeks later and the last two emerged today, two days following the first.

*White Lined Sphinx (Hummingbird Moth).*

The whole process of feeding and watching the Caterpillars transform was a thrilling experience for my kids.

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Entrepreneurs Collectible Home Decor High Desert

Miniature Fairy Gardens

By JM PerezJune 27, 20141 min read1.6K views

I love tending to my gardens and for as long as I can remember, I have been enchanted by Fairy Gardens with their hidden mysteries and treasures. My Garden is the place where I go to retreat, reflect and relax and I design it to reflect my character, personality and inner spirit.

My daughter, who is fond of the backyard fairy garden, requested to create a miniature version for herself. We used a set of Vintage Drawers we purchased last Summer from Estate Liquidators. My daughter immediately put hers to use while her brother was still figuring out what to do with his. Most of the accessories are from Michaels, Linda Marie’s Enchanted Treasures, Kreative Klutter and the rest are home made.

Early this afternoon on our way to pick up a few tools from Harbor Freight Tools, my husband’s eyes spotted beautiful selections of outdoor decor while searching for a parking spot. We parked next to the entrance of the little shop, Kreative Klutter, as a reminder to check it out before leaving.

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Kreative Klutter

11938 Hesperia Rd, #B
Hesperia, CA 92345
Phone: (760) 247-2600 / (760) 244-1929
Facebook Page

Whether you are looking for indoor and outdoor, collectibles, Fairy Garden Supplies or if you are just interested in learning Tole Painting, make plans to visit Kreative Klutter or contact her on her facebook page for additional information.

Hesperia, CA 92345

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By JM Perez

Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

Happy In The Garden

By JM PerezJune 25, 20141 min read578 views

You know that feeling you get after a job well done? That’s how I feel today, Happy in the Garden.

This has been a good year for my Longiflorum-Asiatic Lily ‘Birgi’. This gorgeous and exceptional perennial with erect stems, dark green foliage and large deep pink fragrant, upward-facing trumpet-like flowers.

Silvery Cassia, also known as Feathery Cassia and Silver Leaf Cassia is an evergreen Australian shrub. The plant produces cheerful bright yellow buttercup-shaped flowers from late Winter to Spring followed by flat brown seedpods. The plant can be propagated by seeds and cuttings.

According to Growing With Science Blog, the female part of the flower is the light green part that curves off to the side from the center of the flower and the male part of the flower are the brown stamens.

My semi-evergreen Daylily ‘Pretty Woman’ are going strong this year as well. It is such a delicate and sophisticated plant with light creamy-apricot petals.

A Miniature Hybrid Rose with different flower colors.

I was pleasantly surprised to see tiny ivory Seed Pods (without the seeds) on my Coleonema Pulchrum. From a distance, they look like delicate flowers.