Category: Nature

Hope


Hope, today, and the new plant in 2017.

Hope, Philodendron selloum (Balinese Dream), has been a member of my courtyard’s fernery area for 8 years, and as you can see, the plant has large, wavy-edged, elephant ear leaves. Today, the fern stands at five feet tall and is covering a large portion of the fernery, and it’s time for “Hope” to have a trim.





Ivor Steven (c) July 2025

Throwback Friday, Innocent Millipedes

Today’s Throwback Friday poem was written in March 2022, and appears in my third book, “Until Eyes Hear Sound”, Chapter 1, Little Creatures and Birds, page 6



Innocent Millipedes



Please Mr Shootin’ Putin
Do not roll your tanks of destruction
Over the innocent Mr & Mrs Millipede
Millipedes were the earliest animals to breathe air
And make the move from water to land
They date back 428 million years
Now people of the world cannot hold back their tears

Did you know Mr Shootin’ Putin
That Millipedes are fairly timid critters
Docile decomposers that live in the leaf litter
Of forests all over the world!
They aren’t flashy or fast
And they follow the motto
“Slow and steady wins the race”
Millipedes are peaceful
They don’t bite
They can’t sting
And they don’t have pincers to fight back

Please Mr Shootin’ Putin
Do not roll your tanks of destruction
Over the innocence of creation







.


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)




Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)




Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books




OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com




Ivor Steven (c) March 2025

The Final Phase

Today (Friday) was the sixth day of our visits to the Geelong Botanical Gardens Conservatory to view the “Corpse Plant’s Flower” bloom, then quickly deteriorate.

The images below represent the “Flowers” phenomenal six-day journey.


After leaving the conservatory, we had a picnic lunch in the shade of an American Sweet Gum and photographed some interesting and colourful plants.


We hope you have enjoyed being introduced to the incredible “Corpse Plant” and our walks around the magnificent “Geelong Botanical Gardens”








Ivor Steven (c) November 2024

The Collapse Begins

Today (Thursday), I observed that the “Flower’s” central spike (the Spadix) had begun to bend and lean over, and the “Corpse Plant’s Flower” was noticeably deteriorating.

After viewing the “Plant,” we went to the Botanical Gardens Cafe for Coffee and Cake, located, in a delightful open verandah area.

In the bottom right photo, Frankie is looking at a mosquito that has landed on his nose

Then we visited the Gardens’ renowned “Tree Fern” precinct …


Below Photos have their name tags inserted … click on the individual images to read the plants’ name …








Ivor Steven (c) November 2024

The “Flower’s” Curtain is Closing

Today (Wednesday), the “Corpse Plant’s” Flower had begun wilting and closing up. I think the next stage of the flower’s demise will be the collapse/folding over of the central spike (the Spadix). Yes! … I’m coming back tomorrow.

Because there were no queues today! we had time to explore and discovered some interesting displays in the Botanical Gardens.

Frankie in the dog house at the old Customs House





Wow … it’s nearly midnight … these pictorial articles/posts are taking me a long time to prepare and put together! … now, to find a suitable song …






Ivor Steven (c) November 2024