Daily Pics ~ Saturday, November 7, 2009

[thymewarp13]

Good afternoon everyone! We started out with a killing frost this morning, but with sunshine and blue skies it's turning out to be a beautiful day.

I received the mini-mum in this pic as a birthday gift back in March. It moved outdoors during summer and recently came back in as its plant tag implied that it wasn't hardy.

One praying mantis is still hanging on close to the house in the Abelia Grandiflora.

We took a walk in a nearby park and although there weren't many reds in the fall foliage, the yellows reflected nicely in the creek.

[Bebop]

Hi, TW. It's sunny and cool here today. All three are fine photos. I love that single mum, almost looks like a rudbeckia but the leaves are the giveaway. Great portrait of the mantis. And lovely yellow reflections.

[thymewarp13]

Thanks. It's funny you mention the mum looking like a rudbeckia because I thought the same thing. I knew it was a mum, but rechecked the plant tag just to make sure before posting.

As for the mantis, I got a few good shots of it yesterday. So many of the closeup shots I take lack the 'eye spot' (for lack of a better term) so I always consider it a plus when I get it in the pic.

As for fall foliage, trees and shrubs that had held onto their leaves until our sub-freezing temps last night are dropping them fast and furiously now....trumpet vine, viburnum, and more.

[Bebop]

Yesterday I was walking in the woods, taking pictures, and ran into my neighbors, Jon and Amy. I posted a closeup of Jon on the Main Page.

[thymewarp13]

I love your recent local color people pics, Bebop. This shot has a lot to like, including the shadows and the spot of color in the bright red hat.

I saw a possible subject for a picture yesterday but came away empty handed as I was without a camera and probably would not have had the nerve to ask for permission to take a picture anyway. An older woman bundled up in a coat and scarf was sitting on a wall outside a convenience store scratching off instant lottery cards. As she scratched off one after another, her body language told me that she did not have any winners in the bunch.

[Bebop]

It takes more nerve than I usually have to take that kind of picture, TW. These guys are my friends and Jon is a real ham. He was delighted I was taking his picture.

[GTO]

look like a fairly nice young couple....

[GTO]

looked like a rudbeckia at first too...nice colour!
mantis is a cute portrait.....and the yellows are beauties in that reflection!

[GTO]

Cactus pear treat!

every now and then I like to buy a few cactus pears...these 3 are ripe and ready to go....the spines have been removed wherever they've been shipped from.....

cutting down into the thick skin reveals a juice red pulp center almost like a banana but only red....there are several grape like seeds in the fruit that can be easily swallowed....the fruit is real tasty but it's an acquired taste that I've had since I was a kid eating these at the side of a road in southern Italy....

[thymewarp13]

I've heard of cactus pears but don't think I've ever seen them, at least not cut open. They look beautiful. Is there any other fruit that its acquired taste might be compared to? I wouldn't have thought the red pulp to have the texture of a banana just looking at it. I'm guessing you had a very red mouth and possibly red hands after eating these along the side of the road. ;-)

Are cactus pears available in the stores up your way or do you have to special order them?

[GTO]

they are pretty common in supermarkets, these were 3/$1.00.....

taste a bit like a semi hard banana with a pomegranate/watermelon flavour.....hard to describe

when were down in Isla del Sol this past Feb. there was a large cactus plant growing in the center of a manicured large bush...I'm sure the mexican gardeners down there were keeping their eyes on this cache...

[Andy P]

TW, I'm flipping over your Mantis portrait. Super shot ! ! ! Looks like Icon material to me, lol.
I've seen cactus pears occasionally but never tried them. Are they nutritious? When you say "acquired taste" I think of Moxie.

[GTO]

hey I could go for a classic platter right now!!