Author Archives: Greenleif

Do you remember when?

Do you remember when driving was allowed on Flagler’s beach, I do. For better or worse it is just a memory now, except on one small stretch of beach (according to the signs).              …

Right time, right place – Right Whales

***This is a repost…it’s that time of year and the whales have been spotted!!     That is what it is all about when the Northern Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) come to town. Last year I spotted my first right…

Winter is here….

Winter is here, and we sure do feel it. The landscape has changed with the season. Leaves cover the lawn instead of adorning the trees and berries replace flowers as the food source. Below are a few native options for…

Beautiful Berries

Many times plants are purchased because of their pretty or colorful blooms. Then a week later it is just another plant, lost in the sea of green. That is not the case with the native deciduous shrub Callicarpa americana aka Beautyberry….

One of Flagler’s many gems – Marineland

Everyone who grew up in Flagler has visited this historic landmark at least once either on a school field trip or when family came to town. It is not the same place it used to be (no more 3d theater, flamingos,…

Native Plant Spotlight – Green Fly Orchid

The below little beauty is a Epidendrum magnoliae aka Green Fly Orchid currently blooming in its foster home a Southern Red Cedar. It flowers from August – March and sporadically thru the year. They can be found in north Florida (Volusia is…

A native that feeds the community (of winged creatures that is)

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…

Trailing the Gulf Fritillary

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…

Butterfly Month – Gulf Fritillary

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…