Image by Cool Text: Logo Generator
- Create
Your Own
 |
|
What I do have in
the corner of my yard, my one splash of Fall color, is what
could be called a "weed
tree" because it is sometimes considered (especially by my neighbors with more immaculate lawns) a nuisance. It does spread its seeds freely but the Sumac has always been one of my favorite autumn reds so I hang onto it resisting offers to cut it down. |
|
|
Being in charge
of your own destiny in a squirrels life is also not without
consequences and
dangers from territorial squirrels who have been persistent in trying to chase her away. She holds her hurt foot up as she makes her three legged descent to get her nut treats. I have managed to get some antiseptic salve on it and it seemed to be better later in the week. |
 |
|
With
turtleless mornings I can spend more time in the yard
calling Shelly in for a snack, some play time,
and enjoying my flowers which seem to be thriving in the "somewhat" cooler temperatures of October. This Sky Vine blooms much nicer with cooler weather and even winter if it doesn't get frost bit. I have planted red petunia's for winter and Christmas. |
 |
|
Our
biggest problem with Shelly's move to the yard is Bubba the squirrel
yard bully
and Bubba's mom "Big Momma" who keep chasing her away to the point that I think she is afraid to use the perfect little nest we had found for her. I am not sure where she is sleeping but I continue to feed her near the nest so she doesn't forget about it when the weather gets colder or when there comes the time to raise her own brood. |
 |
|
She
drinks from the fresh water I put out for her each day and the palmetto
which had sprouted
in the fork of the huge oak tree is loving the extra water. I did not know that squirrels were so territorial. I hate that for her because it seems lonely out there with no family bonds or friends. |
 |
|
I volunteered to deliver the
island artist's entries for the Jacksonville Watercolor Society's
Exhibition
to St. Augustine, an excuse to run by the Alligator Farm to get one more usage out of my season pass. Lots of gators but strangely quiet to me after the Spring and Summer's bird nesting activity. |
 |
|
A
small cluster of Ibis and a Heron were taking turns in the bathing area
splashing themselves
then using this natural drying rack overhead. |
 |
|
The
one real treat was having lots of Roseate Spoonbills hanging out
although
it was nappy time for most everyone. Not at all like the frenzied activity of nesting season. |
 |
| A very lethargic bunch of birds. |
 |
| This young Night Heron all but disappears in the foliage of the trees as he slumbers away. |
 |
|
The
cotton candy pink of the Spoonbills is such an unexpected color to find
in nature. It ranges from
pale pink for the younger birds to intense pink with touches of pinkish orange in places on the more mature adults. Catching them flying overhead is a pastel eye candy with the pink against a baby blue sky. |
 |
|
I
was surprised to see a mature Black Crowned Night Hawk down wading in
the swimming area
instead of sleeping in the trees. Their startling red eye color may have something to do with their nocturnal habits. --Warning reptiles ahead-- Since it was so quiet I decided to go check out the new addition which houses some more exotic reptiles, the main attraction being a Komodo Dragon. I did not see the giant lizard outside so I went into the darkened room with the lighted cages of various seriously venomous snakes from Africa and the more Middle East. |
 |
|
There
in all his splendor was "The King", King Cobra that is. He
looked at me and I looked at him
and I decided I was glad for the glass between us. |
 |
|
As
an artist I always enjoy finding good examples of pattern and texture
especially when they are
all rolled into one. What had appeared to be just another log laying outside in Mr. Komado's lair was actually the Dragon himself. |
 |
|
We
had a nose to nose experience as we checked out each other.
Another lazy critter in the
midday heat. Carpenters have been busy adding a wing to his lair in anticipation of the delivery of a newly approved mate. Maybe that will put a bit more zip in his day. |
 |
|
One
place you can always find color at The Farm whether it is Spring or
Fall is on the McCaw's which
hang out near the turtle and swan pond. I can find almost the whole color wheel on this fellow. |
 |
|
The
fresh water turtles like this Red-Ear Slider like to hang out on the
logs and do this stretchy
balancing act while they doze in the sun trying to warm every possible part. I remember my Box Turtle used to stretch out like this when she became comfortable with captivity before she escaped back into the wild. Guess she wasn't as comfy with confinement as I thought. |
 |
|
One
very tiny little fellow, a Red-eared Slider
which used to be sold in pet shops, hangs out with the
big guys. Thankfully it is now illegal to sell them as pets. Too many times they are released into the wild after owners tire of them, where they were not native and they interbreed with the native Yellow Bellied Turtles to the detriment of both species. Their connection with spreading salmonella helped put a stop to their exploitation. |
 |
| A bit of Fall is floating on the surface accenting and repeating the shape of this Red Ear's spots. |
 |
|
One
year round bloomer we also have is the Hibiscus. Although
frost bitten last year mine have quickly
rebounded back to shoulder height. Some things don't grow here that I was used to having. I still laugh about the lady who told me I could indeed grow the Bearded Iris here. I could buy bags of ice to go around them when we had cool spells, fooling them into thinking it was winter. I don't think so. No, I'd rather spend that time watching my Hibiscus bloom, fishing, turtling, or hanging out with squirrels. |
 |
| An unexpected
visitor was by my back door yesterday morning at the
gallery. This very large Tree
Frog was napping on the handrail after a busy night of eating bugs drawn in by the porch light. I leave the light on for my Canopy Moon neighbors in back. In true Tree Frog form he had changed color to more match the wall. He was so large that except for his shape I might have thought he was a toad.In the wild we all adjust or we don't survive. Here is hoping the downtown merchants are able to adjust to the wild ride we are all on with this unstable economy. I challenge you to all try to do your part and do your shopping locally during the coming season. Money spent here stays here and protects the smaller shop owners in our little town enabling survival of this charming place it which we live. |