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Swapping Huckleberries

Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album)  Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album) has been an attractive feature along our north-facing foundation since I planted it in 2016. You will have to take my word for it since I cannot locate a photo although I know one exists somewhere in the realm of the Internet or floating on a cloud somewhere.  I did locate a photo of how it looked when it was first planted - It took a few years to fill out but it did so nicely to an attractive mound about 2 feet high by 3 feet wide.  Last year, it started to look bad.  I cut it back but it had not improved and this is how it looked a few weeks ago - I decided to rip it out and plant another huckleberry - this time Vaccinium ovatum , more commonly known as the "Evergreen Huckleberry".  This is a plant that I've wanted for ages and kept putting off getting one because I could not find a good place for it. By most accounts, this is an amazing plant, a native one and excellent for
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Happy New Year!

Goldfinches outside the kitchen window, taken with my new camera lens.

Since I have a big phobia about the number 13, I'm wondering how I'm going to cope with 2013! Yikes.

 Happy New Year!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 1, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    That #13 will be in your mind daily. Hopefully you will get used to it. It won't hurt you. Love the photo. It looks like that new lens will be an asset. Happy New Year.

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  2. the blonde gardenerJanuary 1, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    Love the photo! One of my goals this year is to use my husband's really good camera and lenses. I love taking pics of birds, too. Maybe taking more photos will help with that pesky 13 number. Happy New Year from Arkansas!
    Brenda

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  3. UnknownJanuary 1, 2013 at 9:00 AM

    Looking through a new lens, of course! :)

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  4. HolleyGardenJanuary 1, 2013 at 9:02 AM

    I had a teacher once tell me her son returned from Vietnam on the 13th (a Friday even), so she never considered it unlucky. I have a sister born on the 13th, too. I hope this year turns out to be one of the best for you! Happy 2013!

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  5. outlawgardenerJanuary 1, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    Great picture of the Goldfinches! I predict that this year will be your best so far, filled with wonderful plants and special people. Remember, it's just a number. Happy New Year, Phillip!

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  6. UnknownJanuary 1, 2013 at 1:29 PM

    Great capture of the goldfinches.I have never seen as many as I have this year.I have to fill the feeders everyday(I should,but I don't).Love watching them.
    If 13 won you the big money on the Lotto,you would think it was your luck number.....

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  7. LostRosesJanuary 1, 2013 at 1:58 PM

    Great photo, Phillip! From someone born on the 13th. Life is good! Happy New Year to you!

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  8. MashaJanuary 1, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    Happy New Year, Phillip! Great photo, and what lens did you get?

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  9. LesJanuary 1, 2013 at 3:25 PM

    Just think of it as 31 backwards. Happy new year to you regardless of the number.

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  10. ProfessorRoushJanuary 1, 2013 at 5:07 PM

    Five golden finches and a hou---ow-ow--ows---finch.

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  11. Gardener on Sherlock StreetJanuary 1, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    Focus on the 20 part!

    Happy New Year!

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  12. JenJanuary 2, 2013 at 5:53 AM

    hey if it makes you feel any better, this is technically the 14th year of the 2000s, so your unlucky year should have been last year!

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  13. Phillip OliverJanuary 2, 2013 at 7:28 AM

    Thanks for the suggestions everybody! Masha, I got a 105mm macro lens.

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  14. KeityJanuary 2, 2013 at 7:37 PM

    Happy to find your blog today! Your photos are amazing! Of course I'm following you:)

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  15. RobinLJanuary 3, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    So that's where all of my charming goldfinches have gone for the winter! I do miss their cheery summer yellow coats around here.

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  16. LynneJanuary 4, 2013 at 6:29 AM

    Happy New Year !

    Thanks for the wonderful posts. I thoroughly enjoy your blog from my little corner of the world in New Zealand, but very seldom comment so I hope I have put that right for the New Year :-)

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  17. gardenenvyJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:41 PM

    Great photo! Jeannine

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