Choice Morsels

Just to let you know, Hurricane Irma had no effect on the whole western end of Florida Panhandle where I live.  The weather was beautiful for the most part--and cold! Temps dropped to 62 F with a feel of 52 F!  It was chilly, but fantastic!   On Monday, we only experienced light showers and gusts of wind. Unless you live here, I suppose it's hard to grasp how big Florida is. The the north border runs under most of Alabama and all of Georgia. That's TWO states! That's a lot of square miles! So, when the media said, "Irma was approaching the Panhandle," they really ought to have been more specific to say it was the Eastern Panhandle, at the curve point, that was being approached. The media's lack of geographical clarity on this point certainly caused those living far away who love us unnecessary worry. ***** Today's photogenic garden moment is a Giant Swallowtail visiting one of my Zinnias! I planted a Rue shrub on purpose for these, since...

The Mama Kat blog prompt topic for today is,: "Dig into your photo files and show us some of last summer's memories you want to re-live!" So, I dug around in my "photo trunk" to find some bright & sunny garden memories from last season I particularly enjoy! Lots & LOTS Of Black Swallowtail Caterpillars! I grow Dill & Parsley in particular for my little guests and the tall Dill was host to around 10 caterpillars! Red Climbing Rose This set of roses grace a pair of trellis's along the front walk to the house! Brown Belted Bumble Bees Loved Last Year's Zinnias! You can tell by the pollen on the leg this is a busy female worker bee!  Sometimes I'd find  drones  napping  on these flowers. Male drones tend to be driven out of the hive once they've fulfilled their duty, so they while away the days napping where they can.  (Click to link above to see my photo of a drone napping under a Zinnia!)  Giant Swallow...

Welcome back! I have a great Picture of the Day for you/?! Every seen a Giant Swallowtail? I got this shot of one a few days ago: A Giant Swallowtail is one huge butterfly. Typically 4 to 6 inches in size with this unusual bright yellow spot pattern. The lower wings have the little "tails" on them that give this these butterflies their name. Also two little orange dot markings that seem common on many Swallowtails. I'm always interested in finding out what different butterflies eat to see if it's something I can add to my garden, since I do want a butterfly-friendly garden. Butterfly caterpillars are fairly gourmet and many only eat specific things, like Monarchs only eat Milkweed. Now the Giant Swallowtail dines on citrus leaves and several other trees, but I have no room for trees. I did find, however, they and also Black Swallowtails enjoy an herb shrub called "Rue." That I could do and I have the perfect location, though I won...