Sabatia, Goldfish, and Cats

ABOVE: Sabatia (Sabatia grandiflora (Gray) Small) has replaced the bog buttons and hat pins along the lakeshore. The past two weeks of heavy rain diminished the buttons and pins and gave life to the Sabatia which are much larger and colorful (thus 'grandiflora'). In the background are many, many Yellow-eyed Grass (Xyris fimbriata Elliott), each 12-24" tall. . .which while dramatic still pale when coupled with the Sabatia.



ABOVE: We bought more 10-cent goldfish for the ponds today. Many of the little brown fish turn yellow and white and orange when they get a little older. Goldfish were originally domesticated from the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), a dark greyish brown carp native to Asia. They were first bred for color in China over 1,000 years ago. Due to selective breeding, goldfish have been developed into many distinct breeds and are now found in various colors, color patterns, forms and sizes far different from those of the original domesticated carp.

They are doing great in the Debary pond. Predators leave few fish in the Deltona ponds. I have forgotten the name of the water bamboo sprouting next to the fish in this photo.



ABOVE: I'm fascinated with this grass. The flower is spectacular. . .but easy to miss in the summer wildflowers. For now it remains "mystery grass."

BELOW: 'Dell.' The most recent cat to show up asking for a home. I put posters up all over Debary today for Dell. . . hoping someone misses him. He is very, very friendly, affectionate. . .he's going to be a huge cat. His paws are bigger than any of our cat's paws. . .and his tail is about 20" long. Wow.