The Salt Marsh in Shades of Gray

We took a rainy evening drive down to the St. Marks Lighthouse. The light was odd as the storms were coming across the southern coast.

 

Very Florida salt marsh--- which has a subtle beauty all its own.

Two deer were beside the road. I caught most of this one---bright- eyed and bushy-tailed.

As we were leaving, we stopped for this young gator that was probably enjoying the heat from the pavement that had cooled to something comfortable after the rain. (An effect similar to those heated stones they use in spas, no doubt.)

It watched us approach….

And then it decided to high-step it back to better cover.

See ya’ later, alligator.

Mailbox Monday: Just Horsin’ Around

This home-made rural mailbox was meant to resemble a horse trailer.

Mid-July Monsoon

On Wednesday, we had two storm systems meet over Leon County and the result was rather spectacular. Lightning was frequent and once there was a strike so close that I looked out to see if any of our tall trees were burning. Our lights flickered, but we never lost power. Residents in town were not so fortunate.

In just over one hour, we had 3.9 inches of rain in the gauge at our house.

This 3 gallon bucket that we use to collect vegetables in our garden was sitting under tree cover and still had 6 inches of rainwater in it.

During the storm, the water continued to shoot off the roof like someone had a firehose up there. We know we have some drainage issues by our front entrance and as the water rose, covering the small front porch, I was a little nervous that we might have it come in under the door. It never happened.

This was taken from the front door.

We were hoping that the goldfish would not go exploring as the pond level rose.

Two years ago when Tropical Storm Faye dumped 22 inches of rain on us in two days, B was able to hook up temporary drain lines to direct the water away from the house. With the constant lightning, this was not an option this time. Guess one day we are just going to need to grab some shovels and tear up the yard and install a better system.

For now, I am very thankful.

White Flannel Moths

These two flashy caterpillars were clinging to the trunk/stump of the little redbud tree that B and D cut down last weekend. The sawdust can be seen clinging to their hairs.

We thought that they were suspect and so did not touch them. I took these pictures.  When B went back to dig up the stump, they were gone.

I sent the pictures to an entomologist at UF for identification, after I was unable to find a match in my guides or on-line. His response was that they are the larvae of white flannel moths (Norape ovina) and they do indeed sting. The hairs (or setae) have poison glands at the base of them that are released when touched or broken. Reactions may vary by person.  These caterpillars feed on a variety of leaves of hardwoods and shrubs, including redbuds. This webpage has pictures of the adult moth.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/130/bgimage

One time years ago, we were camping at Vogel State Park in the mountains of Georgia, when dozens of these lovely white moths were attracted to our lights. They also liked the light-colored pullover I was wearing and came to rest there. It was one of those magical moments that burn into your memory. I had no idea what they were until now. At least the moths don’t sting as the caterpillars do.

How Firm a Foundation

I borrowed the title of this blog from the name of a very old hymn I have sung since I learned to read early in my life.

However, the topic here is not spiritual, but structural. We had some trees that had become rooted much too close to the foundation of our house. (We have all seen the damage that roots can do to concrete.) Some of these, I think, were originally in pots and grew through. Others were bird-sewn. When younger D was home last weekend, I asked if he would help his dad take down the biggest, a redbud.

They set to work on it and, in no time, it was down.

How many parents can say that all of their children have been to chainsaw school? (Both of our sons have!)

Perfect!

B has since cut down the crape myrtle and moved the swamp chestnut oak that he grew from an acorn. They can be seen in pictures above as the trees closest to the heat pump.

Here’s the dark heart of the matter:

Now even the stump is gone.

I’m sleeping a little better. Thanks, guys!

Road Rattler

This rattler was in the road to the garden, quite near where we saw one on my birthday in May. This one was a little longer and a little wider. When we stopped, it eased to the side of the road where it paused for this picture.

Nice pattern.

The Zen of Zinnias

 

When we began planning our little garden in the community garden, I knew that I wanted to plant some sun-loving flowers. The first to bloom have been the zinnias. I love zinnias and have grown them at home with very mixed results. But they are very happy in this garden.

Zinnias seem to be popular with the butterflies, too.

I love the contrast in the pictures above and below.

When I was taking these pictures, I could see five different species of butterflies feeding on the zinnias. I wasn’t able to get decent pictures of the other two before they moved on. They were even coming to the ones I had already cut to take home.

(It is like a rainbow in a jar!)

My mother, who also loves them, tells that her mother always had a large round bed of zinnias in their front yard in Kentucky. Maybe that is how I came to love them so---zinnias in my genes. I didn’t get the genius, but I got the zinnias!

For my mother’s 90th birthday celebration a few years ago, I was able to buy over 100 stems (for almost nothing!) from a local country gardener who sells at the farmers’ market. My family and I arranged them mostly in Kentucky crockery and Mason jars for informal table decorations.

Recently, when I went down for her surgery on her broken leg and again to visit her in rehab, I took vases of zinnias.  I have learned that zinnias will keep much longer if the water is changed every day.  It also seems that the more you cut and give away, the more blooms come to replace them.