Thanks to Sam a lam for sending the above awesomeness from near Lincoln Park.
Another reader reminds us that good people still exist: “a couple bystanders (and their pooch) checked on me after a gnarly bike accident. dog cried bc social distancing prevented him/her from licking me back 2 health. thank u kind strangers!”
Please email your awesomeness to princeofpetworth@gmail.com
Lots more awesome below:
Thanks to William for sending the awesome PPE from Shaw above.
Thanks to Jeff for sending the cool historic fire truck in AU Park above.
Thanks to John for sending the Bald Eagle in Woodley Park above.
Thanks to Mary for sending the above from Hill East.
and thanks to Laura for sending the R Street Fairy garden below:
With delicately dissected foliage and flowers that look like pantaloons, it is hard to believe that Dutchman's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) are related to the common garden poppy. No matter how incredulous it may seem, they are in fact peculiar members of Papaveraceae. I can't get enough of these lovely spring ephemerals and their beauty is equally matched by their intriguing ecology. This species really is the full package.
At home in mesic deciduous forests,Dutchman's breeches are true spring ephemerals. They are primarily denizens of eastern North America, however, disjunct populations can be found in the Pacific Northwest. These are likely relics of a once wider distribution that was split in two by advancing glaciers during the Pleistocene. Dutchman’s breeches live out their entire lives before the tree canopy closes with a fresh batch of leaves. By mid summer they are little more than dormant bulblets resting below the leaf litter. Like the multitude of spring ephemerals they share the forest with, Dutchman's breeches are vying for pollinators capable of tolerating wide swings in temperature. This is where their peculiar little flowers come in.
Packed away in each spur is a sweet nectary treat. The only insects capable of reaching it are bumblebees (Bombus spp.). With their long tongues, these bees flock to the bright white and yellow flowers with vigor. Aside from the occasional thief who chews a hole at the end of the spur, robust bumblebees have this meal all to themselves. In fact, this relationship is so in sync that nothing else is capable of effectively pollinating the plant.
After a brief flowering period, the plant will set seed. Like many other spring ephemerals, they attach a fleshy structure to their seeds called an elaiosome. This attracts foraging ants in the genus Aphaenogaster, who collect the seeds and take them back to their nests. Once there, the elaiosome is sometimes eaten but mostly the seeds are disposed of in trash middens. In this way, the seeds find a nutrient-rich microclimate safe from seed predators in which to germinate. It is a safe bet that most of the patches you find owe their existence to these industrious little insects.
People of America! UPDATE from our DC headquarters…@WCKitchen is now operating in 22 cities and growing each day! Monday we move to @Nationals park to be ready…Worst is yet to come & together we can make sure elderly…children..everyone! has a plate of food #ChefsForAmericapic.twitter.com/S19jwIdBzr
“While the status of Washington’s beloved summer traditions seems uncertain, Stable is resurrecting a warm weather fan favorite, usually debuted on Memorial Day weekend, a little early. On Saturday, April 11th, Stable will bring back their schnaps-spiked popsicles lovingly known as Schnapsicles for brunch carry out and delivery. Packaged as the flavor ice of your wildest Swiss dreams, guests can enjoy a Schnapsicle for a brunch at home or stock their freezer with the much-needed fun and whimsy these boozy treats deliver (move over boring batched meals).
courtesy Stable
Schnapsicles, made with schnaps, fresh fruit and wine are available in apricot, raspberry and pear flavors. Guests may order single schnapsicles ($7) or a Schnapsicles Spritz Combo ($62) featuring 6 schnapsicles and a bottle of sparkling rosé. The latter is served in the restaurant as a schnapsicle swimming in a glass of bubbly, but guests can enjoy them at home as they see fit.
Schnapsicles will be available during Stable’s Saturday brunch hours from 10 AM- 2 PM. Orders can be placed online or by calling the restaurant/emailing silvank@stabledc.com. Stables offers both carry out and delivery.
Stable is located at 1324 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. For more information, please visit www.stabledc.com or call (202) 733-4604.”
Continue to send your gardening triumphs and/or attempts to princeofpetworth@gmail.com thanks!
Lots more:
“Capitol Hill – Tennessee Ave NE” from Barbara
“Last Summer a friend dropped off a huge bucket full of flower bulbs he’d rescued from a dump. NO idea what they were, but we planted them in the Fall, and hoped for the best. And … ?? They came up this Spring, they are blooming … a beautiful, and welcome, surprise” from Gret
From Michael
From Rachel
“Self-distancing daffodil, 12th St SW” from Chase
Jefferson St NW from Lauren
“My “Christmas” cactus is blooming now. Changing name to Corona cactus.” from Katharine
Thanks to Thomas for sending from Georgetown.
John from Petworth
“Brassicas in the garden (supervisor laying down on the job on the second level), last fall’s lettuce that didn’t die, and flowers blooming already a couple weeks ago.” From Toni
“These wintered over under sheet cloth covers. We grow potatoes, sweet potatoes, herbs, etc. In those grow bags to the right.” from Kate.
“Here are some photos front his morning — all native plants!” from Shari
Plants use pigments for a variety of functions. The most obvious examples of these are chlorophyll and anthocyanins. Whereas we can see such pigments, our eyes are not equipped to see others. Many plant species utilize pigments that can only be seen by organisms capable of seeing in the ultraviolet spectrum. The most famous examples of this involve flowers, which utilize UV pigments to attract pollinators like bees and some birds, which can see into the UV portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. However, our understanding of UV pigments grows every year and it is becoming obvious that many organisms use UV pigments for other reasons. For instance, the carnivorous ends of some carnivorous plants have been found to fluoresce blue. These plants aren’t using these pigments for pollination, rather they are using them to hunt.
Pitcher plants are unmistakable. These beautiful carnivores produce complex pit-fall traps from highly modified leaves. Their traps are an evolutionary adaptation to the low-nutrient conditions of the soils in which pitcher plants grow. The traps entice potential prey to visit in a few different ways including bright colors, sweet smells, and even nectar. The rims of the pitchers are slippery and visting insects have trouble hanging on. Organisms that are lured in by these "rewards" run the risk of slipping and falling to their deaths into a pool of digestive fluids.
Pitchers of (A) Nepenthes ventricosa; (B) N. gracilis; (C) Sarracenia purpurea with natural damage; (D) S. oreophila; (E) N. khasiana unopened pitcher, with lid opened; (F) N. khasiana opened pitcher; (G) top portion of near‐dead N. khasiana pitcher; (H) digestive fluids of N. ventricosa unopened pitcher (top) and opened, prey captured pitcher (bottom).
According to a paper published back in 2013, these are not the only traits that pitcher plants use to attract prey. Along the rim of many pitcher plant traps, researchers discovered special pigment cells that fluoresce blue light in the ultra violet wavelengths. Fluorescent pigments were even found in the pitcher fluids of some Nepenthes! In fact, close examination revealed that the pitcher fluid does not start to fluoresce until the pitcher lid has opened. The researchers wanted to test to see if this UV light actually functioned as an attractant for insects. What they found was exactly that.
When the blue emissions were masked, the traps caught considerably fewer insects. It would appear that many carnivorous pitcher plants are tapping into a strong evolutionary connection between insects and flowers. It is an interesting adaptation for catching prey in nutrient-poor environments. Moreover, it is amazing to see just how striking these pitchers look under UV light. The pitcher plants aren’t alone, either. Venus fly traps (Dionaea muscipula) also exhibited UV light emissions around their trapping devices. Of course, since we lack the ability to see in the UV spectrum without technology, all of this is going on out of sight of us humans. It just goes to show you how truly complex and interesting plants can be.
My landlord has decided to sell the row house I’m currently renting. We have one of three units. They’re planning on listing it this week and of course want to start showing it.
I am not at all wild about the idea of strangers coming into our home during a quarantine. I’m not trying to be difficult or hold up the process, but this is an extraordinary time and I was wondering what the community thinks. Do we have any recourse? Do I just have to let any potential buyer in? Thanks.”
A notice posted in the window says Virginia ABC is “considering establishing a retail store at this location,” on the 1300 block of S. Joyce Street. The sign first went up last month, before Bloomberg dropped out of the Democratic presidential race.
“As is customary when a new store location is under consideration, we post a sign for two weeks indicating a potential new store to gather local input before moving forward to secure a lease,” said Dawn Eischen, Public Relations Manager for Virginia ABC.
“Virginia ABC strategically chooses store locations to meet market demands and to better serve its customers,” she added.
There are currently eight state-run liquor stores in Arlington, according to the Virginia ABC website. The closest to the proposed Pentagon Row location are at the Arlington Ridge Shopping Center (2955A S. Glebe Road) and in Crystal City (320 23rd Street S.)
Eischen told ARLnow this morning that Virginia ABC “is currently going through the leasing process” at Pentagon Row, though an opening date is uncertain given the coronavirus outbreak.
“We are still planning to place a store at that location,” she said. “Due to adjustments ABC and others are making to business processes as a result of the coronavirus, we’re uncertain when the leasing process will be completed or when the store will be open to the public.”
Meet this week’s Pet of the Week, Cooper, a 5 month old puppy recently rescued from Moldova.
Here is what Cooper’s owner had to say about his young life so far:
Though only 5 months old, Cooper is already an international world traveler with the passport stamps to prove it! The youngest of a litter of 7 puppies, Cooper and his siblings were born on the streets of Chisinau, Moldova in the middle of winter. Cooper and his siblings were strays, living outdoors in the middle of an extremely cold Eastern European winter. As luck would have it, Cooper and his siblings would be found by an animal lover right outside the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, who took in all the pups into her home! There they were cleaned, fed, trained, and most importantly loved for the first time ever in their lives. Once Cooper and his siblings were old enough to be vaccinated, they were flown to the United States and all adopted into forever homes on the East Coast.
My boyfriend and I were lucky enough to foster Cooper, but after just a few days with him we knew that he was ours! Even though Cooper is the runt of his litter, he has the biggest heart and the most playful personality. He is super adventurous, and completely fearless. He will explore every nook and cranny of whatever room he is in, and is never afraid to get his nose into things to discover new things! He is loving, and enjoys nothing more than to curl up with us on the couch or his new adopted sister, our 5 year old rescue Black lab, Tally! Cooper’s favorite room is the kitchen- during meal times you can always be sure to find him waiting patiently next to the counter for something to fall. We have yet to find a treat or toy that Cooper dislikes, simply because he loves them all.
Cooper is a one of a kind puppy, and we couldn’t be happier for him to be a part of our home!
Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Emailarlingtonnews@gmail.com with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos, they don’t fit in our photo galleries!
Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner of eight consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.
Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.
“Panda or Pollock? Red panda Asa creates her own work of art.” via Smithsonian’s National Zoo
From the National Zoo written by Asia Trail keepers Nicole MacCorkle and Mariel Lally:
“Happy national panda day! Here at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Asia Trail exhibit, we are celebrating with giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, as well as our red panda pair, Asa and Jackie. We look forward to special days like these because they give us an opportunity to get extra creative with planning our animals’ activities for the day.
Photo by PoPville flickr user C JRCook. Drawing credit: reddit MrRapp
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My series “FANGS,” a love story between a werewolf and vampire, has reached its halfway point. The story is free to read and will update twice a week until July, but the entire story is available if you opt to unlock it!
The Mid-Atlantic region’s “premier anthropomorphic convention” is moving from Tysons to Crystal City this year. Hundreds of fuzzy, costumed animal characters will touch down in the National Landing area in March for the 8th annual event.
The furry convention, dubbed Fur the More, will be held from March 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City (2799 Richmond Highway), organizers announced. Tickets range from $55 to hundreds of dollars for a VIP “Raven God” pass.
More from the announcement:
The Mid-Atlantic Anthropomorphic Association’s (M.A.A.A., a 501c3 non-profit) premiere event, Fur The More (FTM), has been this connection point in the Maryland, D.C., and Virginia area since 2013.
The annual event is designed to provide educational programing, fandom specific wares/events, and socialization within the furry community and beyond. We invite a new Guest of Honor from within the community each year along with showcasing artists from all over the world. In efforts to aid what our community loves most, animals, each year we sponsor another 501(c)3 charity and raise money/donations to help animal rescues within the local community. So far our event has raised over $55k in charity donations, in addition to bringing awareness to the charity itself.
Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner of eight consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.
