A bee on my Wisteria flowers.
I risked life and limb to take that picture. Those bees (there were more than one flying around) were HUGE - about as big as my thumb! After a couple of shots, the bee flew to my direction so I scampered away! ;-)
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Labels:
gardening
I risked life and limb to take that picture. Those bees (there were more than one flying around) were HUGE - about as big as my thumb! After a couple of shots, the bee flew to my direction so I scampered away! ;-)
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Worker Bee
I risked life and limb to take that picture. Those bees (there were more than one flying around) were HUGE - about as big as my thumb! After a couple of shots, the bee flew to my direction so I scampered away! ;-)
Labels:
gardening
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Shamrock
Since I am still feeling the vibe of St. Patrick's Day, I thought I'd post this for you.
When I first saw these growing in our backyard, I thought they were clovers and spent one too many hours trying to look for a lucky four-leafed one. In one patch, however, I saw some flowers sprouting and did some research.
I found out that these shamrock-shaped plants are called Redwood Sorrel (Oxalis Oregana). No wonder I couldn't find a four-leafed one - they were not clovers! Something interesting I learned, though, is that these plants are edible although a bit acidic in taste. I am not one to try - I'll take their word for it!
When I first saw these growing in our backyard, I thought they were clovers and spent one too many hours trying to look for a lucky four-leafed one. In one patch, however, I saw some flowers sprouting and did some research.
I found out that these shamrock-shaped plants are called Redwood Sorrel (Oxalis Oregana). No wonder I couldn't find a four-leafed one - they were not clovers! Something interesting I learned, though, is that these plants are edible although a bit acidic in taste. I am not one to try - I'll take their word for it!
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| Clovers - NOT! |
Labels:
gardening
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Spring is Here!
Yep, spring is here! It is unofficial, though. But you can almost feel it - the weather is gorgeous, the plants are blooming, everything is green and beautiful! Even my grapefruit tree looks lush! (I seriously thought it would die because it shed a lot of its leaves and the branches were very dry). Just as God intended, the plants are back on track and blooming again! I am so thankful that they made it through the frosty winter.
Even the birds are back!
"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone! Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance." - Song of Solomon 2:11-13
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| Peek-a-boo! Three grapefruits hiding! |
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| Grapefruit blooms! |
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| Azaleas |
Even the birds are back!
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| A Red-winged Blackbird posing for the camera |
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| Downy Woodpecker |
"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone! Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance." - Song of Solomon 2:11-13
Labels:
gardening
We have a Duncan Grapefruit tree in our backyard, and it is very faithful in giving us an abundance of succulent fruits. I say "faithful" because we don't really go to great lengths to care for it (like we do our other plants) - not because we "love" it less, but because from the very start, it showed a lot of resilience.
Our grapefruit tree survived many cold nights, harsh weather conditions, greedy critters (birds, raccoons, foxes, name it!), and other forces of nature. It is still standing to this day, and is one of my favorite trees.
Duncan is not a popular variety of grapefruit, but is the oldest and most widely-cultivated in Florida. The flesh is a bit pale, but the taste is considered to be one of the best grapefruit varieties. Some texts I read called it a pomelo, but it is an entirely different fruit. Both are from the same citrus family, though, with one being the hybrid of another (can't remember which, exactly).
Our grapefruit tree bears fruits all year round, but I noticed that the fruits are always better-tasting (and better-looking, bigger, and juicier) during the winter season. We have had a couple of harvests this year, and those that we didn't pick, we let the birds enjoy. (Cows love them too!)
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Duncan Grapefruit
We have a Duncan Grapefruit tree in our backyard, and it is very faithful in giving us an abundance of succulent fruits. I say "faithful" because we don't really go to great lengths to care for it (like we do our other plants) - not because we "love" it less, but because from the very start, it showed a lot of resilience.
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| We'll be ready in a few weeks! |
Duncan is not a popular variety of grapefruit, but is the oldest and most widely-cultivated in Florida. The flesh is a bit pale, but the taste is considered to be one of the best grapefruit varieties. Some texts I read called it a pomelo, but it is an entirely different fruit. Both are from the same citrus family, though, with one being the hybrid of another (can't remember which, exactly).
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| Lone yellow fruit on the top! |
Labels:
gardening
Although technically, the vernal equinox won't be till March 20th, I can't help but be happy upon seeing these blooming buds - the first signs of spring.
On a side note, we have planted two calamansi trees and one banana tree in the backyard. Can somebody say GREEN! ;-)
I am so excited to have more fruit-bearing trees in our garden. It is such a joy to harvest fresh fruits (no pesticides or any chemicals!) from your own backyard. We thank the Lord for all the blessings everyday.
"...You shall rejoice in all the good things the Lod your God has given to you and your household." -Deuteronomy 26:11
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First Signs of Spring
Although technically, the vernal equinox won't be till March 20th, I can't help but be happy upon seeing these blooming buds - the first signs of spring.
On a side note, we have planted two calamansi trees and one banana tree in the backyard. Can somebody say GREEN! ;-)
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| I know he looks sad right now - you would too if you just experienced frost! |
I am so excited to have more fruit-bearing trees in our garden. It is such a joy to harvest fresh fruits (no pesticides or any chemicals!) from your own backyard. We thank the Lord for all the blessings everyday.
"...You shall rejoice in all the good things the Lod your God has given to you and your household." -Deuteronomy 26:11
Labels:
gardening
I found this bird nest in one of our trees in the backyard. As to what kind of bird built that nest - I have yet to find out. I have seen mockingbirds and cardinals on that tree before, though.
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God." - Luke 12:6
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Chirp! Chirp!
I found this bird nest in one of our trees in the backyard. As to what kind of bird built that nest - I have yet to find out. I have seen mockingbirds and cardinals on that tree before, though.
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| From another angle |
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God." - Luke 12:6
Labels:
gardening
This cardinal totally owned the bird bell! He actually chased 2 little chickadees away from it! (Pardon the home-made bird perch!)
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Owned!
This cardinal totally owned the bird bell! He actually chased 2 little chickadees away from it! (Pardon the home-made bird perch!)
Labels:
gardening
This lizard seemed to be getting a break from the cold weather by taking respite in a dried rolled-up rose leaf.
And yes, it was alive. It blinked when the camera flashed. ;-)
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Comfy Lizard
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| Click for larger image |
This lizard seemed to be getting a break from the cold weather by taking respite in a dried rolled-up rose leaf.
And yes, it was alive. It blinked when the camera flashed. ;-)
Labels:
gardening
Found this oleander caterpillar on the wooden deck. He was so camera-shy... it took me about 20 shots before I could get a good one. Of course, it didn't help that he was a fast-mover.
I did some research and found out that the adult stage of this caterpillar is the Polka-Dot Wasp Moth. So pretty... but I'd rather admire from a distance than go near it.
How beautiful are the works of the Lord!
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. - Psalm 19:1
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Oleander Caterpillar
Found this oleander caterpillar on the wooden deck. He was so camera-shy... it took me about 20 shots before I could get a good one. Of course, it didn't help that he was a fast-mover.
I did some research and found out that the adult stage of this caterpillar is the Polka-Dot Wasp Moth. So pretty... but I'd rather admire from a distance than go near it.
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| Photo Credit |
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. - Psalm 19:1
Labels:
gardening
It looked like somebody fired a machine gun at my hibiscus! LoL.
The culprit, we found out later, was this voracious little cricket!
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Tattered Hibiscus
It looked like somebody fired a machine gun at my hibiscus! LoL.
The culprit, we found out later, was this voracious little cricket!
Labels:
gardening
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Summer!
Aaah, summer. Such a nice season. (NOT!) With the scorching heat of the sun, I wonder how my flowers thrive, expecially on days that I forget to water them.
Four o' Clock Flower (Mirabilis jalapa)
Yellow Wild Iris (Dietes bicolor)
Red Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Pink rose (not sure what variety - probably a hybrid tea rose)
Silk Tree aka Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin)
Lantana (Lantana camara)
Of course, the critters can fend for themselves...
Obscure Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca obscura)
Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera)
Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea)
We should never forget to thank the Lord for all the creatures He made.
The Earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for God has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. ~Psalm 24:1-2
Four o' Clock Flower (Mirabilis jalapa)
Yellow Wild Iris (Dietes bicolor)
Red Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Pink rose (not sure what variety - probably a hybrid tea rose)
Silk Tree aka Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin)
Lantana (Lantana camara)
Obscure Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca obscura)
Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera)
Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea)We should never forget to thank the Lord for all the creatures He made.
The Earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for God has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. ~Psalm 24:1-2
Labels:
gardening
It took me a few weeks of stalking this butterfly before I could take a good photo of it, because it flies so fast and wouldn't seem to stay still. But when I did, it seemed to enjoy hamming it up in front of the camera. I caught up with it when it was pollinating my Cosmos flowers.
This beautiful creature is called the Passion Butterfly or the Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae). An interesting fact I read about them is that their bodies are toxic so birds and other predators generally stay away from them.
This is just one of the many butterflies fluttering around our yard. I hope to snap more pictures soon.
1 comments
Passion Butterfly
It took me a few weeks of stalking this butterfly before I could take a good photo of it, because it flies so fast and wouldn't seem to stay still. But when I did, it seemed to enjoy hamming it up in front of the camera. I caught up with it when it was pollinating my Cosmos flowers.This beautiful creature is called the Passion Butterfly or the Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae). An interesting fact I read about them is that their bodies are toxic so birds and other predators generally stay away from them.
This is just one of the many butterflies fluttering around our yard. I hope to snap more pictures soon.
Labels:
gardening,
stuff
I saw this caterpillar inching its way on a brick and got intrigued by its bristly appearance. He (assuming that the caterpillar was male) probably noticed that I was taking pictures of him cause he curled up in a ball, sort of like a defense mechanism. As he did, I noticed some red bands on his body.
The caterpillar curled up in a ball
After some quick research, I found out that it was the caterpillar of a Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia). And giant it was indeed - it was as long and thick as my forefinger, and the adult moth has a wingspan of 3 inches! That is about 3 times the size of a regular moth.
Photo Credits: www.wildflowers.jdcc.edu
These beautiful creatures are nocturnal, so I might not get to see it develop into a moth. But who knows? I might just catch a glimpse if I happen to wander in the garden at night. :-)
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Giant Leopard Caterpillar
I saw this caterpillar inching its way on a brick and got intrigued by its bristly appearance. He (assuming that the caterpillar was male) probably noticed that I was taking pictures of him cause he curled up in a ball, sort of like a defense mechanism. As he did, I noticed some red bands on his body.
The caterpillar curled up in a ballAfter some quick research, I found out that it was the caterpillar of a Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia). And giant it was indeed - it was as long and thick as my forefinger, and the adult moth has a wingspan of 3 inches! That is about 3 times the size of a regular moth.
Photo Credits: www.wildflowers.jdcc.eduThese beautiful creatures are nocturnal, so I might not get to see it develop into a moth. But who knows? I might just catch a glimpse if I happen to wander in the garden at night. :-)
Labels:
gardening,
stuff
This curious-looking oddity is a Pithaya, a fruit from several cactus species, and is more commonly known as a dragon fruit. Contrary to popular belief, this fruit is NOT from Southeast Asia, although they are also widely cultivated there. They are native to South America. The particular cactus we have, the same plant that gave us the Queen of the Night flower, bears the Peruvian Apple variety.
While I was doing research about the Queen of the Night flower, I learned that this certain type of cactus produces fruit, but I didn't think it was possible for our unsightly plant to get pollinated and produce fruits. But God works in mysterious ways, and I saw a red bump on the cactus one morning.
Before I ate it, I did A TON of research and picture comparison to see if it was indeed pithaya. But when I cut open the red fruit, I was certain - this was very similar to the dragon fruit that I used to eat, and so I gobbled it up. Son had a taste too, much to my amusement. He liked it. I couldn't blame him - the fruit was so sweet and juicy.
It has crunchy seeds that give it a somewhat weird texture, and yet the juiciness of the white flesh makes it so... fruity. In terms of taste, it seems to be a cross between a melon and a kiwi.
I am excited to pick the rest of the fruits from the plant, but I have to wait till they are ripe. Passe but true - nothing beats fresh, pesticide-free fruits grown from your own backyard.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. -Luke 2:14
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Peruvian Apple
This curious-looking oddity is a Pithaya, a fruit from several cactus species, and is more commonly known as a dragon fruit. Contrary to popular belief, this fruit is NOT from Southeast Asia, although they are also widely cultivated there. They are native to South America. The particular cactus we have, the same plant that gave us the Queen of the Night flower, bears the Peruvian Apple variety. While I was doing research about the Queen of the Night flower, I learned that this certain type of cactus produces fruit, but I didn't think it was possible for our unsightly plant to get pollinated and produce fruits. But God works in mysterious ways, and I saw a red bump on the cactus one morning.
Before I ate it, I did A TON of research and picture comparison to see if it was indeed pithaya. But when I cut open the red fruit, I was certain - this was very similar to the dragon fruit that I used to eat, and so I gobbled it up. Son had a taste too, much to my amusement. He liked it. I couldn't blame him - the fruit was so sweet and juicy.
It has crunchy seeds that give it a somewhat weird texture, and yet the juiciness of the white flesh makes it so... fruity. In terms of taste, it seems to be a cross between a melon and a kiwi.
I am excited to pick the rest of the fruits from the plant, but I have to wait till they are ripe. Passe but true - nothing beats fresh, pesticide-free fruits grown from your own backyard.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. -Luke 2:14
Labels:
gardening
1 comments
Nameless stuff - Part I
We have lots of flowers/critters in our garden, but I just can't identify all of them. Please feel free to help me name these creatures, or correct me if I labeled them incorrectly. You can click the image to enlarge.
Lilies (4):
These come in different colors - red, yellow, white
Forget-me-nots?
Mimosa (if I am not mistaken)
I find these interesting as it has pink and yellow flowers in a single bunch.
Crepe Myrtles - we also have them in light pink and white
Pink Birds of Paradise or another variant of Crepe Myrtle
Azaleas - come in different colors too.
The Critters:
Jumping Spider
Centipede
Green Anole Lizard (notice the red throat)
Grey Squirrel
Agriope Spider
Brown Anole Lizard
unidentified moth
Broad-necked root borer beetle
A snail happily living on my Red Gerbera
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed‑bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. - Genesis 1: 11 ‑ 12
Lilies (4):
These come in different colors - red, yellow, white
Forget-me-nots?
Mimosa (if I am not mistaken)
I find these interesting as it has pink and yellow flowers in a single bunch.
Crepe Myrtles - we also have them in light pink and white
Pink Birds of Paradise or another variant of Crepe Myrtle
Azaleas - come in different colors too.The Critters:
Jumping Spider
Centipede
Green Anole Lizard (notice the red throat)
Grey Squirrel
Agriope Spider
Brown Anole Lizard
unidentified moth
Broad-necked root borer beetle
A snail happily living on my Red GerberaThen God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed‑bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. - Genesis 1: 11 ‑ 12
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