As we were walking in the park, I saw this caterpillar on the ground.  I probably wouldn't have seen it at all, except it was resting on this yellow tulip poplar leaf.  It really grabbed my attention.  I've seen this kind of caterpillar before in my garden.  It is a Gulf Fritillary.  This leaf is NOT one of its host plants;  it is just hanging out here so I would notice it.

 

I have seen many of these caterpillars in my garden because their host plant is...Passionflower!!!   The leaves of the passionflower feed the baby Fritillary caterpillars.  And this is so cool:  if there isn't enough food to get the caterpillars big enough to cocoon, they will overwinter as larvae and continue feeding in the spring when the passiflora regrows.  Another good reason to let the passionflower grow:  they support Fritillary butterflies.

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!! 

 

It may look a bit weedy, but this is Downy Scullcap, Scutellaria incana, and it is a native wildflower in the mint family.  

 

We saw it the other day in the park.  When I looked it up in my wildflower book, I learned that this one is very typical:  blooming mid-summer, in a shady woodland setting.  

 

I hope you notice flowers on your daily walks.  There is always something interesting in bloom.

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

I know I shouldn't, but every year I let them grow.  I don't let them ALL stay, because the vines can take over the tomato cages, the pathways, the fence, the yard, and yes, the world!!!  But I love these flowers so much, I let some stay.  

 

As you can see, the leaves are kinda chewed up, but that's ok:  I'm not looking at the leaves.  I only see the flowers.  Maybe that's why it's called Passionflower:  we love the flowers with a passion.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING !!!

 

 

 

 

As we stepped out for a little golf cart ride on Sunday evening, this beautiful sight captured our attention.  My friend took this picture and I just had to share it with you.

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

Here is my Arugula planting #3 for this year.  I haven't been leaving it long enough to mature and make its own seeds.  I just take it out when it starts getting ugly.  Then clear the bed and sow new seeds.  

 

I buy arugula seeds by the pound!!!  No really.  I bought a pound of arugula seeds for sprouting from Amazon back in 2023, and I just ran out this summer.  Got another pound.  

 

Have I told you that we love arugula?  Yep, it's true.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I thought you might like to see what's happening with the green beans.  They are loving all the recent rain.

 

In the front of this picture you can see the full grown rattlesnake beans.  Toward the back, to the right, you can also see a fading flower and to the left of it, a tiny bean.  It will be ready to pick in a couple days.  

 

It is so exciting to go out every day and see something new growing.  

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

 

 

I love it when the light is right to see spider webs.  These popped into view when we were staring at the boogie-woogies.  Fortunately, they were not ACROSS the trail.  It's creepy to walk into a spider web, but when we see them from the side:  it's OK.  

 

Yep, that's their real name:  Boogie-Woogie Aphids, well, one of them.  They are also known as Beech Blight Aphids, but boogie-woogie is so much more fun to say and easier to remember.

 

We see them nearly every summer in the park.  They hang out on American Beech tree limbs, and are in constant motion.  That is their number one defense mechanism:  constant movement.  Unfortunately, I don't know how to add a video to this blog, but you can go to Wikipedia and see a short video there.  You can also read more about them, if you like.

 

Meanwhile, if you live near Beech trees, look up.  You may see these little white aphids on the branches.

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

Our friends came for dinner on Sunday, and brought me these gorgeous lilies.  They are absolutely beautiful, and very fragrant.  I wish you weren't so far away, I would share.  So I am just going to share the picture with you.  ;)

 

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BIG SISTER!!!

 

When we got to the park the other day, this is what we saw!!  I have always heard them referred to as "fairy rings."  

 

A fairy ring is a naturally occurring arc of mushrooms.  My understanding is that they spring up from old tree stumps.  The mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of the fungi that are working to decompose the old tree, and they just keep getting wider and wider as the fungi grow.  However, when I looked up Fairy Ring in Wikipedia:  it mentioned the fungi and its growth over time, but said nothing about tree trunks or stumps.  It did go on and on about legends and myths associated with fairy rings.  

 

I like my description better, because it makes perfect sense.  You can borrow it if you like.  

 

OK, when I put the Seek app on one of the mushrooms, it came up with a description that included the words:  vomit and gastric distress.  OK, that's all I needed to see.  Step away from the mushrooms, don't even touch them.  Good to know.

 

I hope you get to see a fairy ring sometime, and have to explain it to your grandchildren or somebody.  You will remember my story.  Or go look it up yourself and make heads or tails of THAT.

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!