Free fish

One of the advantages of living near a lake is that now and then, you get a free fish. Sortof.

The neightbor across the street said she saw a hawk drop it.  Looks like a fresh catfish. I'll give the vultures a chance to find it before I bother to get the leaves off the roof.

Hibiscus

The neighborhood is awash with hibiscus.   I planted mine from seed this Spring and they are just today in bloom. I don't recall the variety but it's a hardy hibiscus and stands about eight feet tall.  I would like to say it's Fireball, but it's a much darker red, maybe a dark burgundy, unless it's illuminated from the rear, as it is in this photo.

Hot weather is good for some things

My potted orchid ("Webmaster") did well outdoors this Summer in partial shade. It would probably have more flowers if I watered it more often.

Agapanthus - Mysterious Disappearance

I bought four Agapanthus plants last Fall and planted them on the east side of the house. They thrived and two of them put out long flower spikes late last month. They started to open last week, so I checked on them today. Disaster! Nipped off cleanly!

You can see the barren spike behind and to the right of the Canna bloom and one lonesome Agapanthus flower on the Canna leaf.

Here's a closer shot of the Agapanthus spike.

Something similar happened to a fresh new Bouganvilla that I planted in the ground near a trellis. The thorns on it had not yet developed; one morning it was trimmed off at the ground.

Damned deer! Nibbled on a few Zinnea flowers, too, but didn't seem to like them.

Crepe Myrtles

Crepe Mrytles are abundant in Texas in June. They love the hot weather, but it's a rare gardener who gives them enough water. These are well cared for.

Ash Trash

There's an ash tree in my yard that makes a horrendous mess in late May, early June. Seeds, seeds, seeds, all over the world. They stick to your feet and track into the house. Hey! Enough! Nobody needs that many seeds, not even the squirrels pay attention.


The tree appears to be a Mexican Ash, aka Berlandier Ash. Latin name Fraxinus berlandierana.

Yellow Bell (Allamanda)

It's not a butterfly bush, its' Allamanda angustifolia, or perhaps Allamanda cathartica, a native of Brazil. Also known as golden trumpet.