Native Roots

I started taking the below photos last summer in hopes of spotting a honey bee. I kept going back to my  Spotted Bee Balm aka Spotted Horsemint aka Dotted Horsemint (Monarda punctata) that is slowly taking over the back yard. This … Continue reading →

Nature is an amazing thing when you take the time to enjoy it. While on the hunt for Gulf Fritillary photos, I realized I was witnessing the Gulf Fritillary laying eggs on the Passion Vine (Passiflora). When you are speeding … Continue reading →

Another local you might see fluttering around in your garden is the Gulf fritillary. The larvae form can be found chewing on native and nonnative species of Passiflora (host food plant). I recently noticed the Gulf fritillary flying and landing … Continue reading →

August is Butterfly Month so to celebrate I will showcase a couple different species. Today’s spotlight is on Swallowtails. To the left is a late stage caterpillar Parsleyworm feeding on Bronze fennel. Soon it will find a place to pupate. The … Continue reading →

While everyone is running for cover to avoid the heat, there is one native that only likes it sunny. The Galliardia pulchela aka Blanket Flower inhabits roadsides, dunes, and yards alike. Once established they prefer dry conditions, and that is what … Continue reading →

(native) an animal or plant indigenous to a place (roots) family, ethnic, or cultural origins, especially the reasons for one’s longstanding emotional attachment to a place or community I am a native with roots, born in St. Augustine and raised in Flagler. Native Roots is where I am going to highlight other natives (plants, animals and bugs) … Continue reading →