Blue Ginger

Blue Ginger

Stained Glass Terrarium with Begonia Microsperma

Here is a Stained Glass Terrarium that I made and inside of it I have Begonia Microsperma.  It started sending out little blooms about a week ago.  I like how this terrarium has a viewing pane in the lid so that you see the plant from above.

Stained Glass Terrarium, B. Microsperma

Stained Glass Terrarium, B. Microsperma

Stained Glass Terrarium, B. Microsperma

Stained Glass Terrarium, B. Microsperma

White-Crowned Sparrow

A small flock of White-Crowned Sparrows were at the bird feeders this morning.  Just as I took this picture of one at the birdbath, they all flew away.

White-crown Sparrow

Cactus and Succulent additons

One of my favorite cactus and succulent nurseries, Desert Images in Oakview California is going out of business.  Today we went over there to make our final purchases.  Here are the cactus and succulents that I am adding to my collection.

Passion Fruit

I finally have a ripe passion fruit on one of my vines.  It was green for awhile and then all of a sudden it turned yellow.

Passion Fruit

Passion Fruit

It came off the vine with these blooms.

Passion Flower

I cut it open and tasted the inside. The red seeds are colorful but not very flavorful.  They have just the slightest sweet taste.

Passion Fruit

Gulf Fritillary laying an egg

Here is a photograph that I took of a Gulf Fritillary laying an egg on the leaf of a passion vine.  If you look closely you can see the egg coming out of the butterfly.

Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary Egg on the leaf of a Passion Vine

Close-up of a Gulf Fritillary Egg on the leaf of a Passion Vine

Gulf fritillary

Gulf Fritillary caterpillars are eating the Passion Vines

I check my passion vines for Gulf Fritillary caterpillars every few days.  When they get out of control they can eat up entire passion vine.  Three years ago my passion vines looked more like sticks because of the Gulf Fritillarys.  Late this afternoon I noticed one caterpillar and on closer examination of four vines there were over 50 caterpillars that were about 3/8" or less.

Gulf Fritillary caterpillar, this was one of the larger ones.

Gulf Fritillary caterpillar, you can see how this one has been eating the edges and a hole in the leaves.

Passion Flower

Despite the caterpillars I have a lot of blooms and they look great!

Passion Flower

Passion Flower

Passion Flower

Passion Flower

Passion Flower

Passion Flower

Passion Flower

Passion Flower