The Firespike bushes are blooming all around the gardens. Also known as Odontonema tubiforme (Bertol.) Kuntze, this native plant attracts many insects. Above: The State Butterfly of Florida the Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonius) is a frequent visitor.
Firespike occurs on the Florida Peninsula as far north as Marion County. It is succeptible to frost but is often found mostly protected from frost by the canopies of large live oaks (Quercus virginiana).
Our raccons (Procyon lotor) appear to be multiplying. Some nights there are 20 or more raccoons at the buffet I set up for them each afternoon. The earliest visitors come around dusk (5:00 pm) with large groups arriving later in the evening.
It appears that the raccoons eat more when it is cool. A couple nights this week it was in the 50s and the raccoons did not finish their food. Last night it was in the low 40s and they cleaned up every scrap of food.
Raccons are most closely related to bears.
Roly-the-raccoon, our oldest and earliest nightly visitor (above).
A group of raccoons that appear genetically dissimilar to the norm. These are small, round, fat, and less tactile than the normal raccoons.
Siblings, feasting on cat food, soy milk and whatever leftovers neighbors have given me.