Armchair Botany

Today's blog has been edited to mark the passing of Britain's longest reigning monarch - may she rest peacefully.

I have some magnificent things to impress my eyes when I sit back in my Adirondack chair on our landing. I don't even have to stretch to get good views!

First up: bottle gentian, or closed gentian - an awesome color in fall, and I love watching the bumblebees have to work for their nectar source deep within the tightly closed petals.

 

These gorgeous Big-leaf asters please me every time with their variegated color centers that change with their nectar availability

And of course, spectacular goldenrod sprays that bounce gently complete the delight! I think this is the Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)