Last year I transplanted all of the Cavendish banana trees that were growing beside our back deck to a spot by the backyard fence. They flourished in their new digs but winter brought more than one hard freeze and they were hard hit.
(refresh the page if you want to watch again but get a big white and green arrow)
They've came back bigger and lusher than I ever expected and it's been a fascinating to watch their rapid growth, I think they must be nearing 20'. I spent part of Labor Day afternoon lying under them channeling my son; when he was small he would point out preying mantis eggs, tadpoles, all kinds of things that I couldn't see from my adult height and it was always a gentle reminder that children have their own particular point of view. I assumed I would learn something new about life at Piazza Uccello by lowering my stature as it were and I wasn't disappointed. Right away I started hearing the sound of some small but persistent insects that sounded like miniature crickets (or frogs). The microphone on my Canon S5 IS is sensitive so it sounds like I'm on the side of the road but I was actually a good 250' away.
Some paper wasps were cooling their wee nursery in the fold of one of the leaves.
Later in the day, as I was wrapping up making photographs of the trees, I received a visitor with a decidedly different perspective. One of the reasons he's called Sweet William Grey is he always wants to be where we are. He's 17 years old, has a bad eye, has been living with a health problem for the last eight years, and he's my bud. Just listen to that purring, he wants so much to be petted.
I was happy to see your banner photo with ppl at the beach and that your banana trees cames back 'better than ever'.
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time getting started with "The Girl . . . " series. It bit dry at first. You might enjoy the audio better, especially if they speak with a Swedish accent.
I do plan to replicate the other postcards. I had a lot of fun with the bridge shot.
The paper wasps make fascinating viewing, but your Sweet William steals the show.
ReplyDeletekitty kitty kitty. My head goes to mush when I see kittys
ReplyDeleteI'm always surprised when I read that someone is actually growing bananas in their backyard. It just seems so exotic to me (weird, I know). I recently read a blog out of the Philipines of the red bananas that grow there.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I could not hear the sound on your videos. Seems like something is up with the speakers. I'll have to check that out tomorrow.
Banana leaves will forever make me think of Tamil Nadu in Southern India, where food in local restaurants is served on....a banana leaf! :)
ReplyDeleteNoticing lushness, wallowing in it. And "the devil's in the details." And perspective. Three of my favorite themes--they are SO important. Thank you. (This must have taken a fair amount of time. It was worth it).
ReplyDeleteB, I was too busy enjoying the beach to take many photos, it really was a nice visit, our first since June.
ReplyDeleteJ + PA, he's such a good kitty boy.
A, the trees came with the house and I'm completely amazed that they've grown so well. If they don't get killed off this winter we should have naners next year.
Bibi, I have a fascination with the way leaves are used. Last night I read up on how to make a "banana boat" from the leaves and hope to include it in another post.
B52, it was a lot of work, especially the uploading and the writing. People don't want to have to read too much so I try to keep it short but sometimes, like right now, I just can't help it. I actually got a headache from the work, something that rarely happens, so I knew what you meant over on your blog when you said it had got the best of you when uploading the flower photos.
Yes, and I need to declare somewhere--so, here--that I do try to keep it short. I just fail a lot.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat this post is. First the details of the slide show, then the lushness of the leaves fluttering in the breeze. And Sweet old William, steals every heart.
ReplyDeleteB52, I think a blog is the perfect place to be yourself. Write however you feel moved.
ReplyDeleteTash, earlier this evening I was outside photographing a boat I made from a banana leaf for a later post and William stayed right with me, purring the whole time. He's just a sweetheart.
So many photos to process to put together that slide show ... you will wear yourself out ... but it was delightful. The white sand looks sooo inviting.
ReplyDeleteJE, only one of the photos was edited so it was mostly a matter of organization.
ReplyDeleteOur area is known for the sugar-white sand beaches and why the oil spill is so much more repugnant to us, it's so much more obvious.
Bananaramma, love 'em.
ReplyDeleteFantastic slide show of the banana trees. The detail shots are really great! Well done, Paula.
ReplyDelete