It's Even Starting To Look Like Fall In South Florida

Great Blue Heron Wakodahatchee Wetlands

"Batman"

Griswald

Why am I always surprised when Griswald runs to the front door before anyone coming to my house has gotten even as close as the driveway?  Grizzy's huge bat ears make him a great watch dog!

Yellow Aphids

Aphids

The first time I saw Aphids on my milkweeds I was worried that they would kill all of my new plants & drive  the monarch butterflies away. I tried washing them off the stems & leaves with the hose & when that didn't work I tried scraping them off each plant, one by one. Now, I know better... I leave them alone & enjoy watching them! They do feed on the newer leaves & stems of the plants but they attract ladybugs & other beneficial insects to the garden & the monarchs don't seem to mind. This is the 1st time I've seen them this year..