On June 19th, I was seriously considering digging up this little Li jujube. It had struggled for years and seemed determined to remain a tiny stick.

Instead, I gave it a little water, cleared away some competition, and decided to leave it alone.

Today, just over a month later, I took another photograph.

Sometimes, the best thing a gardener can do isn’t transplant, fertilize, or prune.

Sometimes… it’s simply to notice. And then wait.

This little tree reminded me that patience can be just as important as action.

It seems to be the season for beetles!

This beautiful Banded Alder Borer somehow found its way onto the porch screen. It was gently caught in a glass and placed on the porch railing, where it patiently posed for one last photograph before disappearing into the grapevine. Encounters like this are one of the quiet joys of living on a small farm.

The other day I collected the dirty feed pans from the back porch and took them inside. When I separated them, I noticed a bug curled up on its back in the bottom of one. I thought it was a bumble bee and hoped it wasn’t dead. (I have a soft spot for bumble bees.) I took a piece of paper towel and carefully lifted it up. I was startled when it suddenly flipped over and started walking! This is who it was:

It’s a Burying Beetle! I’d never seen one before. These remarkable insects are named for their unusual behaviour. They bury the bodies of small animals, such as mice or birds, creating a food source for their developing larvae. Who knew?!

I left this beautiful insect on the paper towel on the porch railing so it could continue on its way.

What a wonderful experience.