My Garden Path
A Florida &
National Backyard Wildlife Habitat nwf_18126
We purchased our property over 10
years ago and worked hard to make it our Eden as well as a paradise
for wildlife. We removed all the grass and planted support plants
for birds & butterflies. In areas where concrete and deck
covered the ground, we potted trees and planted vines to provide shelter.
The entire front yard is filled with
butterfly nectar and larval plants.
For a list of Nectar and Larval plants to use in your florida
butterfly Garden visit A Garden Diary
.Com
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We added a lattice fence laced
with passion vines in reds, whites and purples. Then, planted
many nectar and food plants for butterflies like this Gulf
Fritillary who is laying her eggs on the white passion vine
(Passiflora subpelata)
Two simple clay saucers become a "fly-in" restaurant...
a place for Blue Jays to wash
up and have lunch. |
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What was accomplished by
adding the fountain was our best endeavor. In a
narrow strip of soil (2'x 20'), where a single springerii struggled
for survival; we created a habitat.
Now its is a place where birds bathe, fish swim, frogs
slumber and butterflies dance. Perfect proof that you
don't have to have a lot of land to create a refuge for wildlife.
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Water iris bloom
in the fountain and a profusion of pots hold an assortment of
sun tolerant greenery...Welcoming a blackbird to bathe, flowers
to blossom and frogs to nap in the reeds.
Even my hibiscus
is a huge hit! The 8" blossom on the right is called "Burnished
Gold".
The large pink blossom , is called "Lady
Emma".
My friend Winn Soldani named it after
me. |
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Click on the image for a close up view.
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Over the years I have kept a log on all the visitors (other
than the two legged ones) to enter the yard. In April, 2002,
as I was weeding the butterfly area next to the avocado tree,
I looked up to see my first Knight Anole.(12" in length)
I rushed in to grab my digital camera so I could share my discovery
with you.
Basking anoles are typically brown; fighting males
turn green with a black patch behind the eyes.* It's
a mad male. (You can tell because male anoles have a flap of skin
on their throat) When male Knight anoles are angry, territorial,
or trying to court a female, he will display a red dewlap from
his throat almost like a fan.) I must have been threatening because
he "flashed me". Of couse when I wanted to capture that
on camera he did not cooperate. Perhaps, he wasn't
angry with me anymore since I did not evict him.
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About the Knight anole (Anolis equestris)
Knight anoles are native to Cuba. They have been introduced into southeastern
Florida, and there are now breeding populations in Broward, Miami-Dade,
and Palm Beach counties
Knight anoles grow to a length of 13 - 19 3/8 inches. They are
the largest of the Anolis species. The snout is long and wedge-shaped.
The tail is slightly compressed with a serrated upper edge. Each toe
is expanded in the form of an adhesive pad. The adhesive pad occupies
the central portion of the toe and is of an elongated form. The adhesive
toe pads allow the knight anole to easily run up smooth, vertical surfaces,
or run body downward on a horizontal plane. The body is covered with
small granular scales with a yellow or white stripe under the eye and
over the shoulder. They are bright green in color which can change to
a dull grayish-brown.
Diet: In the wild they eat grubs, crickets, coachroaches,
spiders, and moths
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