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Bug control specialists

User
10 years ago

Today was a good day for the tree frogs. The "peepers." Also the larger toads on the ground. Maybe they are controlling the bugs because I do not see all that many SO FAR anyway.

One peeper was on the yella umbrella pole. The other was down in the big leaves of S&S.

I did not get a picture of the toad. Nor did I get one of the Carolina wren trying to get under the closed up umbrella. I did not think they'd be interested in nest building this late in the year. However, even the bluebirds are back at their nest. As hot as it is in July? wow, not another clutch of babies. Poor mama bird. There were bees around today as well. Burying themselves in the open flowers which were pendulant to make refueling easier.



I'm leaving these bugs alone, although I do not think they are the assassin bugs, do you? This is on Paradise Sunshine, another fragrant. It has open flowers, but they are on the top bud.

Comments (14)

  • flower_frenzy
    10 years ago

    Omg! Pictures 2 and 3 are so cute!! I love frogs. :)

  • esther_b
    10 years ago

    Awwww! So cute! I'd love to have a bug squad like that. Locally we have the non-indigenous Italian Wall lizards. I know they live nearby on the campus of Queens College. I wish some would take up residence in my gardens. Not just for bug control, but because I am a tiny lizard aficionado. I keep many species of itsy bitsy lizards for their cuteness. Perhaps I will someday attract some Podarcis sicula to my own garden outside.

  • tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
    10 years ago

    Frogs...a favorite amphibian. Nice shots of the frog. A bit blurry for my mature vision, so can't tell what is on your Paradise Sunshine.

    tj

  • Ludicious Acres
    10 years ago

    OMG Mocc look how friggin CUTE that little one is sitting in the well of the leaf !!!!!!!!!!!!

    I would die if I had those in my garden. If we get any amphibians they are big ole' toads.

    Still completely effective as far as bug control, but no where near as endearing as your little guys.

    Bravo ! Thanks for sharing :)

    Ludi

  • mosswitch
    10 years ago

    I've been seeing baby toads everywhere, they are out of the pond and hopping around. Sooo tiny,, not much bigger than my little fingernail. Still plenty of tadpoles in the pond yet too. I love little frogs and toads!

    Sandy

  • User
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    I know, it is all the big rhythm of Mother Nature. Replenishing numbers. Lots of little tadpoles, and frogs, lots of snakes to keep them under control. The snakes have a really big job to do, and so do the hawks and owls, to keep the balance in nature. Mankind is not smart enough to take on the job. Let it all interact.

    ..but not the tick, no free pass for him. A scourge of man and beast alike.

  • josephines167 z5 ON Canada
    10 years ago

    Moccasins: is that a 'boat bed' I see in the back???? You are something else!!! Obelisk and all even! How I'd like a closer look at that creation...boy, you've got a great imagination, and a great sense of humour! AND the most darling little froggies...I too only have the occasional toad, but I love it when he 'dines' and lingers here.

    Your flower has a lot more visible mauve/lilac than pink but the most frontal pic is breathtaking to me. Wow

  • User
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Jo, I promise to get the tripod out and take better pictures of the scapes from all angles. I have difficulty bending the ole back and holding still more than two seconds.

    That is a boat, it is a pirogue made of fiberglas. A derelict washed up during a hurricane at my brother's place just east of New Orleans in Slidell LA. I had 3 obelisks like 3 masts in the boat, gave one to DH for his squash to climb. Of the remaining two, one is the Eiffel Tower. Not for serious vines. Maybe the mandevilla or allemande, more delicate and controlled a vine. I'm about to spray paint it pink....the boat that is.....hot pink.....a color I used before on a john boat....nobody ever stole it....easy to identify....what young male wants to be the caught riding around in a PINK john boat! Indeed, one day, that will be a planted "boat bed"... I needed some height at that end of the garden. Thus the obelisks, and the umbrellas. Shade. Must have shade.

  • beverlymnz4
    10 years ago

    Cute and effective control. I went to take pictures of my resident toad, but he was hiding and I didn't want to disturb. Thanks for sharing. -Beverly

  • Jon 6a SE MA
    10 years ago

    Mocc, the piroqu is lagniappe.

    Laissez les bon temps rouler!

    Jon

  • User
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Ahhh, Jon-boy, I see you are acquainted with the bayou lingo. I always said it was a world apart without needing a passport. Worked down in bayou country for many years, and enjoyed the food, the culture, the language, and of course the people.

    My pirogue is full of dirt which is no good for planting. We are emptying it gradually as we fill in holes....It might be a great spot to cover it over with rye grass for a couple of years--a nice bushy green spot over the wintertime. Break down that awful packed clay soil, which arrived with a truck load of pine bark, too late after it was dumped there. I had to haul it somewhere! Next year, we plant watermelons around the blueberry bushes. The pirogue is among the blueberries.

  • esther_b
    10 years ago

    Oh Mocc--can you imagine what the co-op manager would say if I put a pink boat in the yard? I'd have to cover the gunnels from bow to stern in foam so it would cease to be "dangerous and pointy"!!

  • User
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Esther, I hear what you are saying. And I'm chuckling over the image I have. It would be a project worthy of your ability, just in case you get flooded out. Hang an old life ring on it for safety sake. Put a current USCG inspection sticker on it. The gummit certified it to be a safe craft. :)

  • esther_b
    10 years ago

    I'd fill the pink boat from bow to stern with hostas, heuchies, and various beautiful cascading annuals. The co-op manager would make wonderful compost--best use for him yet.

    I hope everyone had a great July 4th. Hotter than blazes here, but yesterday's t-storm seemed to have fulfilled the H2O requirements of the phyto-family, so I didn't stand there and water like I usually do. However, one of the neighbors exited the building as I was doing my daily ooh & aah over the now-burgeoning blossoms and much-grown hostas. She laid a big compliment on the hosta garden. Made my day!

    My cats celebrated the day by staying cool and playing with their toys. Who needs a TV when you have a pair of kittehs??