Choice Morsels

I've spent the past couple days following butterflies around with my camera and actually did get some good shots! September is butterfly season in North Florida. It's also dragonfly season. I see them flying around in pairs often, which I guess is part of their courtship ritual. The type of dragonfly particularly common here is called the "Eastern Pondhawk." The males are the prettiest baby blue color. Because they tend to perch and just sit, I find them occasionally willing photo subjects. I captured some very find pictures of a young male Pondhawk yesterday "perched" on the top of an old day lily stem. (Young meaning not full grown in size.) I also have the biggest toad I've ever seen living in my front gardens. I startle him occasionally out of wherever he's hiding--from under the gardenia a couple days ago. My husband has seen him, too, out on the front sidewalk at dusk, under the outside light.  He's at least 3 inches in size from head ...