Owl Returns: Hoot Hoot Hooray!

Our neighbor's yard is just over 1.5 acres, wooded, slightly larger than ours, and they also have a little biddy pond. Over the years they have continued to plant lots of Florida native plants; Beautyberry, Stoppers, Wild Coffee, Firebush, Firecracker etc., and indeed when this city raised family moved in next door they were very helpful in getting us off on the right foot by suggesting shrubs and trees to support the local wildlife. Their yard supports an abundance of wildlife for sure.

Mature Slash Pine

Their enthusiasm for encouraging and providing nesting, feeding and stop-over places for birds and butterflies alike became my passion too. Indeed over the years hubbie and I have grown from seed and planted many new Slash Pine Trees (see my blog Pine Tree Magic), and plants and shrubs that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. We also put up nesting boxes, and didn't immediately take down any dying or bug infested trees (known as snags) but left them for the Woodpeckers - who will move into a bug infested tree almost immediately. 

Consequently a tad of friendly rivalry has developed over who gets to "host the hooters." My neighbors had painted their new box a bright yellow, and they were thrilled last year to have the Screech Owls nest in the box, while I pouted next door with a box full of squirrels (do I REALLY need any more of those?)

Anyhoot, without further preamble, guess who got the Mama Screech Owl's seal of approval this year?

Sometimes, the shabby chic-vintage look works. And check out those little teeny tiny deadly claws. Wouldn't want to be a little critter. Mouse Hears a (W)Hoo! Oh No!

Shades of Hot, Hotter & Sizzling in Paradise

The temperatures are steadily climbing into the 90F and our backyard in paradise is also beginning to look "hot" with hues of red, yellow and orange!

We will kick off with an unknown plant. It has very attractive flowers, but no scent. It is also a nuisance in that it pops up all over the place, which alas is so often the case here with our tropical weather. The leaves are furry and heart shaped. If anyone can identify it, I would be pleased to know what it is.

 

Mystery plant

 Below left is Spicy Jatropha (Jatropha integerrima). Jatropha is a genus of approximately 175 succulent plants, trees and shrubs. Blooms continuously and very drought tolerant. Very attractive as a small accent tree.

Spicy Jatropha

Next is Cape Honeysuckle (Tacoma capensis), a scrambling shrub native to Africa. This shrub appears to have runners that can help it "travel" elsewhere in the garden. It's a messy, spindly plant, but the hummingbirds love it - so it stays.

Close Up Cape Honeysuckle

Cape Honeysuckle

Dianthus or Pinks, are grown as annuals here in Florida. They go dormant during the hottest part of summer and I have had them re-emerge like "perennials" in the spring.

Dianthus

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana). A succulent; likes arid conditions and is a wonderful plant to put in front of pinwheel jasmines, or roses. Great groundcover and spreads rapidly.

Bell Pepper, absolutely delicious in a home-made salsa.

Bell Pepper

Native Firebush

Native Firebush (Hamelia patens). Attracts our state butterfly, the Zebra Longwing. Has orange/red flowers and hairy leaves. Tubular flowers give way to red/black, glossy berries that are popular with songbirds and in particular cardinals.

Native Firebush

Nasturtium

 

 

Squash Flowers

 

I have various types of Nasturiums cascading over hanging baskets.

The Squash plants are coming along nicely. I put toothpicks around them (sharp end up) to prevent cutworms and other critters nibbling on these edible flowers.

Zinnias are one of my favorites in the garden, they are self seeding and, with regular deadheading, low maintenance.

Zinnias

Not exactly in the garden, but in a large cage on the patio is our little love bird Peaches. She is playing Peek-a-boo with me while I took this picture.

Pretty Peaches

Not in my garden but on the dining room table. Roses for mothers day.  I know elsewhere in the world, it is earlier in the year.

Happy belated mothers day for all moms in the USA, and everywhere in the world!