Jimsonweed bloom

 

Look at the first bloom on our jimsonweed (Datura wrightii) that's growing in The Pasture. I spotted the long bloom at few days ago and kept an eye on it. The photo right below shows the bloom during the day. That night, I set an alarm as a reminder to get out of bed and get photos of the bloom. Which I did. The next day, I got a few day-time photos, too. So pretty! Years ago, we had a jimsonweed in the front yard, and it finally died. A few volunteers have germinated from leftover seeds in the soil, and I'm nursing one that I transplanted near this older one. 

 

Old man's beard

The other day, I just had to pause and take some photos of the blooms on one of our old man's beard (Clematis drummondii). The evening light really lit them up! They're so unusual and beautiful. 

Robber flies on patrol

Yesterday evening, I was in the Pasture, checking out our tithonias, jimsonweeds and tall asters. Right now, the evening rain lilies (Zephyranthes chlorosolen) are blooming. I glanced over at some poking up from the grass and noticed small black specs on the tips of a few. I smiled. I knew exactly what they were.

Robber flies on patrol!

Naturally, I had to squat down and get photos. These are Hadrokolos texanus, which have recently been commonly named as red-legged twigsitters. I know this because the first time I observed this tiny fly in June 2018, the species didn't have a common name. 

Our urn plant

I finally looked up and found the name for our bromeliad, which is blooming again right now. It's an urn plant (Aechmea fasciata). Our sweet neighbor Jeri gifted it to us as wedding gift in May 2006. It's grown and lost stalks along the way. Kelly, another neighbor, gave us a red variegated one so I stuck it in the same pot. They all seem happy together. 

UPDATE JULY 26, 2026 Blooms now...

 

Surprise – my spider wish came true!

Yesterday after supper, James wished me well before I set out to bug hunt. "Hope you find a new species," he said. I smiled and shrugged. Seems like they're getting harder to find these days.

In the back yard, I was on my way to collect seeds from our Alamo vine growing on a fence when I spotted some silken lines reflecting in the evening sunlight. Why, of course, I stopped in my tracks. Hmm, gotta be an orbweaver near by, I thought to myself. I looked up and over ... and then I did the happy dance! A lot! 

There she was on her web, a spinybacked orbweaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis)! My first EVER! I'd always hoped to find one in our gardens. And after all these years, my wish finally came true. With help from my macro lens and post editing, my images came out well of this small spider. I shared the pictures on Facebook, and a lot of friends were amazed. I guess this species isn't seen very often. I can sure attest to that! 

 

Eve's necklace update

You may recall my post from last May where I lamented about my poor Eve's necklace (Styphnolobium affine). Her leaves were shriveling, and she just looked TERRIBLE. James pronounced her dead. Finished. The End. But not me. 

 

"I want to give her until next spring," I said. Since she's nearly five years old, I figured she might still have strong roots. 

 

Well..... drum roll, please..... look what I spotted  yesterday while strolling in the Meadow.... 

She hasn't given up! Yay!

Notes to myself

It's been a banner year for golden daleas (Dalea aurea). I collected some seeds and spread part of them here and there in the Meadow. However, I didn't walk into the Meadow because it's also been a banner year for those darn chiggers. I also put some in the Pasture next to the tithonias.