The core group of blogs I read is still relatively strong. Thankfully. And I can still waste plenty of time on Instagram, although I'm frustrated by the algorithms thinking they know more about what I want to see than I do.
In past years my Instagram feed would have been filled by now with people who'd ran the stats and were sharing their Top 9 posts of the year, but I haven't seen even one this year! So, I thought I'd be the first. Afterall I am a very consistent—if late to the party—adopter of these things...
My nine squares (based on "likes" from my Instagram followers) are:
1. My garden, the peeling bark of Arctostaphylos x 'Austin Griffiths' with an Agave parryi 'JC Raulston'
2. A much-photographed vignette in the Indianola, Washington, garden of Nancy Heckler
3. My garden, blooming Mahonia x media 'Charity'
4. My garden, ice on a NoID Cholla during last January's horrible storm
5. Jurrasic garden beauty from the Vancouver, Washington, garden of Laura and Charlie Heldreth, @thehumminggardener
6. A gorgeous tree fern (Dicksonia antarctica) in Jeff Fairchild's Portland garden
7. My garden, the blooms of Billbergia nutans
8. My garden, the view across the front garden from the driveway
9. A shot I couldn't resist taking at Portland Nursery. We'd just come out of the coldest week on record here in 30-some years, so naturally their plants were under protection and the tables were empty--but the shot pretty much summed up how I (and many others) were feeling about winter
— — —
To receive alerts of new danger garden posts by email, subscribe here. Please note: these are sent from a third party, their annoying ads are beyond my control.
All material © 2009-2025 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I hate to be so "out of it" lol. This is the first I'm hearing of Bluesky, and I didn't know about the top 9 until I spotted Gerhard's post. Both of your submissions look like a calendar I would definitely buy. *That peeling bark is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, I think that means you've managed a life not ruled by social media!
DeleteThat's a great collection! Did any of them surprise you? And are there other posts you'd have thought would've made it to the top? I noticed that Sue Webel (musabasjoosue) posted her top 9 a couple of days ago. I avoid adding apps to my phone so you probably won't see a Top 9 from me but I'm in the process of putting together my own annual review for a blog post on Wednesday. I'm married to my blog but feel I'm still just flirting with Instagram ;)
ReplyDeleteNo surprises, because I had no idea what would show up... which kind of answers your second question. Thanks for mentioning Sue's post!
DeleteI’m on Bluesky and I like it! Who else that you know has joined? I’ve found a couple, Tamara for one. I dipped a toe into Threads briefly but I didn’t like the vibe and it’s hard there to curate follows into a garden-centric group. That’s easier on Bluesky. The gardening groups are in their infancy but everyone is very supportive.
ReplyDeleteSusan Nelsen Murphy is the first name that came to mind, I'm not sure if your paths ever crossed. There are others from the PNW Plant Geeks group that talk about it, but honestly I haven't bothered to track who exactly (I read their posts but don't remember the names). Perhaps I will check it out.
DeleteHappy Nine! They're all beautiful and fascinating plants and vignettes. I'm on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram. I've been falling off a little during the past few months on Instagram, and I only post to Bluesky with new blog posts. It's hard to keep up with it all, but certainly a joy to follow plant people like you. :) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Beth! It is hard to keep up with it all, which is why I'm so hesitant to add something new. Kudos to you for being active out there!
DeleteI remember all those photos: since I'm not on social media, I'm fortunate you shared them on your blog. Thanks for blogging!
ReplyDeleteCurious: why top 9 of the year rather than top 12?
Chavli
I believe it became the Top 9 because that's a perfect square on Instagram.
DeleteI honestly do not understand why people move to Instagram from Facebook. I love Facebook and post hundreds of photos with captions. I can post either vertically or horizontally on Facebook, but Instagram cuts photos off horizontally often. I follow your blog so I see quite a few of your photos, but I am sure not all.
ReplyDeleteYour followers chose great photos. Not being a social media person I rely on blogs and vlogs. I can spend innumerable hours reading and watching especially during the winter months. Helps to know there is a community of like-minded people out there. Wishing you a great growing season with lots of interesting plants to come your way.
ReplyDeleteYour Top 9 look great but are way less spiky (and dangerous!) than I'd have expected. Mine surprised me too: a third were people pics, one was a Harry Potter Halloween display (!), one was a still from a rainstorm video, and only two were composed shots from my garden. All were from Texas gardens, not one from my travels.
ReplyDelete