Tuesday, August 24, 2010

What Gardener Doesn't Watch the Weather?



I'm such a geek about weather. I amuse my husband and daughter all the time with how I keep a constant watch on the sky, and the local radar. I follow it all: hurricanes, snow (yes even in Charleston this past February), dry spells, and even dew points. I prognosticate and sometimes I get it right. Maybe even as much as any of our fabulous local meteorologists. So when I heard about the Weather Spotter Certification class given by the WCBD, the local NBC affiliate, and Charleston's National Weather Service here in Charleston, I jumped at the opportunity. We learned about what to report and what not to report, the difference between a funnel cloud and a land spout. My eyes glazed over from starring at the screen...a room full of people who love weather as much as me...all raising their hands to see who could answer the questions first....more fun than a human should be allowed to have!

Now if I could only slow the copious amounts of rain we've had this August so the grass will stop growing two inches every day.

Weather Spotters Report:
1. Tornadoes, waterspouts, funnel clouds or rotating wall clouds
2. Hail (Any size)
3. Estimated or measured wind speeds of 50 mph or greater
4. Flooding
5. Rainfall amounts greater than 1 inch per hour
6. Damage by wind or lightning
7. Downed trees and/or power lines


To learn more about becoming a certified weather spotter and to download their brochures, go to: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/skywarn/

Thursday, August 19, 2010

And More Bugs! Visit the Butterfly House at Brookgreen Gardens



Whispering Wings Butterfly Experience

Somehow I missed this one until I just found it on the Brookgreen website:

I plan to take my husband and daughter here sometime in April and get some great photos.

It features a lush garden filled with tropical plants where hundreds of butterflies soar through the air. Monarch, Zebra Longwing, Polydamas Swallowtails, Pipevine Swallowtails, Spicebush Swallowtails, Julias, Buckeyes, Queens, Painted Lady, and American Lady are just a few of the species that call Whispering Wings home. Interpretive signs throughout the exhibit and benches provide a restful place to watch their delicate beauty in flight.

http://www.brookgreen.org/calendar-of-events.cfm?themonth=August

DETAILS: The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 - adults and $2 - children, for a 30 minute timed visit in addition to garden admission.

The exhibit closes October 31

Monday, August 16, 2010

Aracnofriendly!




We've got some friends in the garden. My husband Lee and I do our best not to disturb them too much. We know they have a waited-all-summer appetite for mosquitoes....So with all the rain we've had lately, let the feast begin!

Above: Spiny Orb Weaver which looks kinda like a crab, Golden Silk Spider (growing several inches wide through the fall), and a Golden Orb Weaver.
(They're non-venomous but will bite if you compromise their safety.)