Window on George

I love this photo. I took it myself. In the desert. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calotropis_procera Thank you, Lizz, for helping me to identify it! And also thank you for the fossils that you picked up for me, providing us with "Lunch!" I will walk with you to the edge of the world.

Forbidden Fruits of the Desert Can you find the connection? Aren't these Monarch caterpilars the coolest thing ever? http://www.monarchbutterflygarden.net/butterfly-plants/calotropis-procera-milkweed-tree/ I picked up this pod on my first desert walk in November last year.   It was as light as a feather.   Riyadh had just had the first rains in many months.   The wadi was green with new growth, and  the air was clean and fresh.   The light was just perfect. When fishes flew... The Arabian Desert was once ocean http://www.poetseers.org/the-great-poets/misc-2/when-fishes-flew/   Signs of running water Time.

                    Jasminum Sambac   aka    Grand Duke of Tuscany   aka   Arabian Jasmine                                                            Tea Jasmine       Rose Jasmine ' Grand Duke of Tuscany'  - possesses flowers with doubled petals. They resemble small white  roses  and are less fragrant than the other varieties. It is also known as 'Rose jasmine'.   In the Philippines, it is known as  kampupot . In  China , the flower is processed and used as the main ingredient in  jasmine tea  (茉莉花茶) Pakistan, India and Middle East It is one of the most commonly grown ornamentals in  Pakistan ,  India  and  Bangladesh , where it is native. [23] [15]  They ar...

It's warm, dry and sunny! Perfect beach weather. I don't miss the humid summers of Hong Kong. Soon I will go to George where it will be cold and wet. But for today, we have summer. The Golden Chain Tree. Beware, it is poisonous. http://www.moonnurseries.com/Trees?nid=2223

I googled "Painted Ladies" to get some more butterfly pictures... Was not prepared for what I found! http://ladies-with-bottle.blogspot.com/2012/06/intoxicating-wine-inspired-perfume-by.html Besides the obvious ladies that are painted, I found my favourite houses! Somehow wine crept into the picture But, I digress.   Let me get back to the painted ladies. Painted lady on white flowers These butterflies visited our campus for a few days:

On my way home this afternoon, I noticed the Painted Lady butterflies have left and their Lantana host shrubs  are now covered in white fluff with brown seed pods.   I veered to the left, aiming for the shady side of the mosque, no pun intended.   The sun is now quite hot and I shielded my face with my headscarf.   Through the black haze, I suddenly noticed patches of yellow against the bright blue sky.   Unceremoniously, I dropped  my handbag, took out my phone, and starting shooting! The boeing overhead was my sign to go home.   It only took about 5 minutes, but when I got inside my flat, my face was burnt.    This sun is not to be taken lightly, I gathered... I waited until it was much later and cooler, then went back to pick some flowers & leaves for identification. The Divine Tree Indian Tulip Tree (Thespesia Populnea/भेंडी, पारस-पिंपळ) i...