The different quality of light fascinates me and it is what draws me into photography over and over again. I especially like the morning light, when only patches of light are visible while everything else is still in shade. Often I go into the garden before breakfast just to see what the light looks like. Of course this only works on non-gloomy mornings, and we had a lot of gloomy mornings recently (just debunking the myth of sunny California).
In the morning the sun has to get past the enormous old Coastal Live Oak next to our property. Rays of sunshine dance through her branches and leaves and lighten up only small areas in the garden.
There are always shadows on the fence that delight me.
Later in the day, the birdbath will become quite popular. One of the Mourning Doves loves to hang out on the angel's head.
Look how the Salvia sclarea lightens up in the few rays of sunshine. When the seeds develop, this plant becomes very popular with the Lesser Goldfinches. They balance on the swaying stems and pick the seeds. I love watching them while they do that. The bumblebees love this flower as well. And as an extra perk, it's drought tolerant and thrives in sun as well as in shade.
The deer love to visit the front garden. I wish the would eat the weeds with the same enthusiasm as they raid the olive tree, smokebush and sometimes even the buckwheat! Evidently they haven't read the note that "deer don't like this plant". Well, mine do!
