Red Riot

Red in my garden is a welcome accent against all the shades of green foliage.  From flying creatures, flowers and foliage, red is a color that catches the eye.  Anyone know the name of this colorful flying insect enjoying the Sweet Almond?

Stopping to smell the Louis Philippe roses I realize even their scent is connected to the color red.  Their smell reminds me of cherry flavored candy.  Is it just because I'm seeing cherry-red that I imagine this?  

The Bottle Brush tree is blooming away now that it has reached a height of ten feet.  I have been happily watching its red blooms attract hummingbirds and bees.  

Accent foliage of magenta red hues really pops against the shades of green in the shady tropical corner.  Blood Leaf Irisine  has made it through even our colder winters.  This year, with the mild winter temperatures, it has remained a small bush and with its spring growth I can see it becoming an even larger presence.  

First time in a long time the Ti plants have shown height as well as their lovely colors.  The background of white Caladiums is early in appearing too.  Love this spring!

My favorite cardinal family is still nesting in the azalea bushes and visiting the feeders throughout the day.  I love the flitting flashes of red they bring to the garden.

Life in the Garden

There is only a little plant life left around the Path but the bird population has been as active as ever.  Keeping the feeders clean and filled is keeping me active outside and gives me a focus for the camera.

For some reason the cardinal pair are camera shy.  As soon as I step outside of the screened porch, camera in hand, they will fly away.  If I am working with the shovel or clippers, they ignore me.



They are so faithful to come by the garden many times throughout the day.  Shooting through the screen is challenging but  it is the only way to capture them in a photograph.

The titmice are much less concerned with my presence and my camera.  I just love when four or five of these will flutter through the sprinkler on a warm day.  Those days will be coming again soon.

In past years I have put out thistle socks with nyger seed to attract the goldfinches but have never had a one visit while I was looking.  This year, several have visited the regular feeders.  I have decided my new visitors must be winter visiting goldfinches because of their song.  I used this website to try to ID them.

Tiny carolina wrens love all the brown in the garden now.  They are finding lots of cover these days.  These small birds have the biggest voices.  I love hearing them sing their loud songs. 

I've cleaned and restocked the hummingbird feeders every three days but I haven't seen my little female ruby-throat that frequented the garden all summer and fall.  After the December freezes I've read reports of hummingbirds visiting feeders in other yards in my area so maybe she has moved.  I'm keeping the feeders clean and filled with sugar water in a 4:1 mixture just in case she or another  hummer should zoom by.

The plant life here at My Garden Path is challenged right now, but the wildlife I love to attract is still finding shelter, food and water and rewarding me with their presence. 

Non-Gardening Related Field Trip

While on my way to a favorite little consignment shop just south of my home, I noticed a sign for the Great Florida Birding Trail.  Intrigued, I changed my plans and went to check it out.  The sign led me to E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin, FL.   This is a Hillsborough County park located on Tampa Bay.  There is a public beach area, several picnic areas, camping facilities, and nature trails. 

The view from the "beach" was a little hazy but it was easy to make out downtown St. Petersburg with Tropicana Field's white dome. 

There were many water birds to see along the beach area:  Willets, Seagulls, Ruddy Turnstones were just a few of the different species hopping around on the sand. 

Much of the adjacent land was overrun with Brazilian Pepper trees so it was refreshing to find that the County has begun planting native vegetation in this park.  This Simpson's Stopper provides red berries the birds love.  There were lots of Mangroves waterside as well.

Other native plantings included Sea Oats and Beach Daisies. 

As a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail, this area did not disappoint.  This particular stop on the Trail is listed as a good site for beginners.  That would describe my "birding" abilities.  Juvenile Ibis were abundant for viewing.  Some were skittish for the camera but these two let me take their picture. 

This Great Egret was less accommodating.  Everytime I stood still and aimed my viewfinder his way he would fly off.  If I began walking away he would return and settle down to resume his foraging in the flooded field.  He was so beautiful to watch in flight but I just wasn't quick enough with the camera.  Very regal isn't he?

The Roseate Spoonbill was definitely my favorite bird to see this day. 

Pink is my favorite color.

I know it looks like this little fella' is running away from me, but in reality, I was running from him and his two buddies.  Just as I was returning to my truck, they came out from the palm fronds and rushed toward me.  They must have thought I had food.  I quickly jumped in my truck and started the engine which stopped the forward rush.  Since raccoons can often carry Rabies, I wasn't taking any chances.  I'm just glad I was close to my vehicle when I encountered them.  Cute little guy though, isn't he?

According to The Great Florida Birding Trail website there are many more locations near me.  I just might take a little gardening break now and then and check out these great birding sites.