December has been a lovely, warm month in Florida. Flowers are still in bloom and butterflies are everywhere! Although some annual flowers are gone, the pollinators are visiting whatever's available. I've been noticing Gulf Fritillaries hanging around the Turk's Cap and wondered how they were able to get to the nectar.
If you look closely, you can see its proboscis - long flexible tongue - sliding between the petals.
They're after this...sweet nectar, that I also sipped from Turk's Cap as a child.
The Mexican Flame Vine is attracting many pollinators, including Woodland Skippers.
Gulf Fritillary
Another pollinator magnet still blooming is my Tractor Seat plant. Polka Dot Wasp Moths are beautifully colored.
Skippers
Zebra Longwings
One of my favorite plants for the shade garden.
The first Japonica Camellia to bloom is my variegated 'Laura Walker'.
A late blooming Sasanqua Camellia, 'Hima Jiman'.
A few pictures of my 'girls'.
I'll say good-bye for now...Merry Christmas to all my gardening friends and visitors.
We have had an abundance of gulf fritillary cats and butterflies as well. Your captures are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best this holiday season. We will be moving just after Christmas, but I look forward to keeping up with you and your lovely garden! Continued blessings...daisy
Good luck with the move - can't wait to see where you land. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
DeleteYour pictures are beautiful, and your "girls" have grown so much. Their colors are lovely. Have a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynda. Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family.
DeleteChicken envy, chicken envy, chicken envy!!!! I used to be jealous of your veggies gardens . . . but my goodness look at those beautiful hens!
ReplyDeleteAnd they're so much fun...and funny. We are certainly getting old, because every day when they're out for'free play', we are totally entertained by them. Much better than television.
DeleteHi Janice! Your photos are gorgeous! And I'm so in love with your chickens! I heard a rooster this morning - I thought, how wonderful! I'm not usually up early enough to hear the neighborhood crowing, lol. I hope you have a beautiful, Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynn. Merry Christmas to you and I hope next year brings only good things your way. _Janice
ReplyDeleteJanice, You got some of the most fabulous butterfly photos. Wow, have you got a lot of visitors on all those pretty blossoms. I think the warm weather has kept the butterflies around. How interesting about the turk's cap. Great shot! Your girls are looking so healthy. How many eggs do they lay in a week? Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a healthy and new year.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan! Everything I've read says my hens should be laying less because of the shorter days, but it hasn't affected them much. I have six hens and I never get less than five eggs a day. They are very contented and eat well from my garden, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. I've received some great homemade Christmas goodies from neighbors who have shared in their bounty...lucky me. Wishing you health and happiness in 2017.
DeleteOh, my gosh, these pictures are gorgeous. The colors are just amazing! And your chickens are so fluffy and healthy-looking. Seriously, they are the prettiest, cleanest-looking chickens I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteThanks, my chickens have fast become pets and are quite spoiled. They only eat organic grain and fresh veggies from my garden. We enjoy them much more than we thought we would.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice! Apologies for my absence - sometimes a little break is necessary but I honestly didn't expect to be this late visiting your blog or even writing my own - time has slipped by way too fast. As always it was lovely to see your beautiful photos of your lovely flowers. I am so glad you told us about the Tractor Seat plant as it has fast become one of my favorite plants in the garden. Your chickens are just gorgeous - SO beautiful and such lovely colors! You must really enjoy having them around. A very happy 2017 to you!
ReplyDelete- Kate xx