Recently in Creatures Category
November 29, 2011
An Alfred Hitchcock moment...
I had an Alfred Hitchcock moment last night when I encountered a flock of Bluejays, one of which scared the bejusus out of me.
You see typically I take a nightly stroll through my Brugmansia forest looking for newly opened blooms. Last night I was gazing at a group of Brugmansia seedlings zoning in on a fresh new bloom when a creature buzzed by my head and scared the bejesus out of me. I'm used to hummingbird moths and the like buzzing me as they are attracted to my headlamp, but being buzzed by a startled bird in the darkness is something else.
Once my heartbeat dropped back down to an acceptable level, I peered back into the forest and spotted a
flock of Bluejays resting amongst my Angel Trumpet plants. The rest of the flock was a tad more docile than the one that buzzed me. They calmly tolerated my photo session with interest.
I'm just glad I wasn't buzzed by the giant owl that serenades me every night. Had that been the case I'm not certain my heart would have recovered. :)
You see typically I take a nightly stroll through my Brugmansia forest looking for newly opened blooms. Last night I was gazing at a group of Brugmansia seedlings zoning in on a fresh new bloom when a creature buzzed by my head and scared the bejesus out of me. I'm used to hummingbird moths and the like buzzing me as they are attracted to my headlamp, but being buzzed by a startled bird in the darkness is something else. Once my heartbeat dropped back down to an acceptable level, I peered back into the forest and spotted a
flock of Bluejays resting amongst my Angel Trumpet plants. The rest of the flock was a tad more docile than the one that buzzed me. They calmly tolerated my photo session with interest.I'm just glad I wasn't buzzed by the giant owl that serenades me every night. Had that been the case I'm not certain my heart would have recovered. :)September 22, 2011
Helping me get my cats under control!
I've been sort of quiet lately as my real job in the event business approaches its seasonal peak and becomes more demanding. I've also encountered a shortage of photogenic blooms thanks to an out of control caterpillar population. Fortunately I have some unsolicited help in my war against cats. This tiny spider is making a meal out of a caterpillar twice it's size.
Right now I'm battling a type of inch worm that prefers blooms over foliage. The leaf eaters are just starting to emerge so now I have no choice but to turn to chemical warfare. Next week all my Angel Trumpet plants with get a nice bath of Orthene mixed with a dash of preventative miticide.
Right now I'm battling a type of inch worm that prefers blooms over foliage. The leaf eaters are just starting to emerge so now I have no choice but to turn to chemical warfare. Next week all my Angel Trumpet plants with get a nice bath of Orthene mixed with a dash of preventative miticide.September 7, 2011
No Love for these bugs
It's that time of year when the lovebugs make their semi-annual appearance here in Florida. Every May and September you can count on these sex-crazed critters to annoy the heck out of you, especially if you do allot of driving. Lovebugs are harmless and are more of a nuisance than anything else. They do not sting or bite and fortunately for us, do not harm our plants. They like to feast on sweet nectar so that is why you see a pair hanging around on this beautiful Angel Trumpet bloom on Brugmansia Sweet Summertime.
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Lovebugs are more of nuisance to motorists as swarms of these interlocked couples tend to hang-out
along the highways and cause havoc to drivers. Squashed lovebugs can
damage vehicle paint if they are not removed within 48 hours, and can
also clog radiator grills. They are more frequently remembered for being plastered on windshields, leaving a gooey mess that
requires you to pull over and scrub the mess off if you wish to see out your windshield.
Luckily, the swarms here in Central Florida are not nearly as bad as they were a decade ago, and everyone is loving that!.
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Lovebugs are more of nuisance to motorists as swarms of these interlocked couples tend to hang-out
along the highways and cause havoc to drivers. Squashed lovebugs can
damage vehicle paint if they are not removed within 48 hours, and can
also clog radiator grills. They are more frequently remembered for being plastered on windshields, leaving a gooey mess that
requires you to pull over and scrub the mess off if you wish to see out your windshield.Luckily, the swarms here in Central Florida are not nearly as bad as they were a decade ago, and everyone is loving that!.August 10, 2011
They're back!!!!!
When I was checking over my neglected front yard this weekend, I found it odd that my crinum lilies had no grasshopper damage this year. They seem to be one of the favorite foods of the giant Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, or lubbers as they are commonly called. Well Monday I got my Lubber fix when I spotted one resting on an Angel Trumpet leaf.
Despite their giant size as an adult, they actually eat less than grasshoppers a fraction of their size. They are monsters too, typically reaching 3 inches in length. While the adults may not be big eaters, the babies sure make up for that and will strip a plant bare overnight.
I do not think the adults have any natural predators. Nothing wants to mess with them partly because they have natural toxins in their system that act as a poison to predators. Even my one dog that chases anything that moves, looks the other way when one of these creatures stumble into his territory. The best way to take care of them when they are large is with a club or baseball bat. :)
The lubbers do not seem to be nearly as populous as they were when I was growing up here in Clermont. I'm sure it has to do with all the citrus groves being replaced by homes. I remember back in my triathlon training days, on the backside of Lake Minneola, by the marshland, the lubbers would be so thick on the road that you had trouble biking and running through them. After a couple of days the road would almost be black with squashed lubbers.
They sure are a beautiful creature though, especially when i see them in other peoples yards and not mine!
Despite their giant size as an adult, they actually eat less than grasshoppers a fraction of their size. They are monsters too, typically reaching 3 inches in length. While the adults may not be big eaters, the babies sure make up for that and will strip a plant bare overnight.I do not think the adults have any natural predators. Nothing wants to mess with them partly because they have natural toxins in their system that act as a poison to predators. Even my one dog that chases anything that moves, looks the other way when one of these creatures stumble into his territory. The best way to take care of them when they are large is with a club or baseball bat. :)The lubbers do not seem to be nearly as populous as they were when I was growing up here in Clermont. I'm sure it has to do with all the citrus groves being replaced by homes. I remember back in my triathlon training days, on the backside of Lake Minneola, by the marshland, the lubbers would be so thick on the road that you had trouble biking and running through them. After a couple of days the road would almost be black with squashed lubbers.They sure are a beautiful creature though, especially when i see them in other peoples yards and not mine!June 27, 2011
The summer pest patrol is on watch
With our summer rainy season finally getting underway, my favorite pest patrol is out in force.
You can never have enough tree frogs amongst your plants when it comes to natural pest control.
Besides the great work they do munching on bugs, aren't they cute! :)
You can never have enough tree frogs amongst your plants when it comes to natural pest control.Besides the great work they do munching on bugs, aren't they cute! :)June 24, 2011
An Angel Trumpet version of Beauty & the Beast
When I'm out snapping photos of my new blooms, often I do not see creatures that may be on or near them until I review the photos later. While checking out some recent photos I shot of this Brugmansia Rubirosa x Sam seedling I spotted this tiny spider making his rounds.
A spider sure beats seeing the pairs of eyes glowing in the background I often see on some of my nighttime photos.
A spider sure beats seeing the pairs of eyes glowing in the background I often see on some of my nighttime photos.June 1, 2011
Bugs on a pod
Last night was was what I would call a bug-a-palooza. I went out with my headlamp on to check on a few about to open flower buds and I was bombarded with insects.
My headlamp is a giant bug magnet anyways, and last night the bugs were out in force. When I stopped to check on a couple blooms, these bugs decided to quit harassing me for a few seconds by taking a break on a nearby seed pod. Lucky for them they were non-threatening to my plants so I let them be.
My headlamp is a giant bug magnet anyways, and last night the bugs were out in force. When I stopped to check on a couple blooms, these bugs decided to quit harassing me for a few seconds by taking a break on a nearby seed pod. Lucky for them they were non-threatening to my plants so I let them be.This beetle seemed to be guided by the light because as soon as I moved on it was back in my face swirling around my headlamp.
May 28, 2011
A bug on a brug
I'm not sure what role this colorful, yet menacing looking creature plays in the insect food chain. It does not look like the type of insect that wants to munch on my plants so I let it be. I'm certain it is more interested in other bugs that may be harming my Angel Trumpets.
It looks as if it has staked claim to this brugmansia leaf and will do whatever it takes to protect its turf. I did not notice a stinger so that is a good sign that I may never be a victim.
It looks as if it has staked claim to this brugmansia leaf and will do whatever it takes to protect its turf. I did not notice a stinger so that is a good sign that I may never be a victim. May 25, 2011
Mr. Toad eyes a mid-afternoon snack
It looks like this toad has a choice of snacks, two juicy snails. Snails are a major pest problem for me each summer and it just so happens that toads love to eat snails.
I sure wish I could clone these guys!
I sure wish I could clone these guys!May 10, 2011
A tree frog stakes claim on an Angel Trumpet
Despite a major contrast in colors, this friendly tree frog makes himself at home on the large blooms of Brugmansia 'Xena'.
I'm starting to see a resurgence in caterpillars munching on my blooms and foliage so this guy is a welcome sight.
I'm starting to see a resurgence in caterpillars munching on my blooms and foliage so this guy is a welcome sight.