Wind, Bees and Flowers!

  The area was supposed to get a lot of rain last night and today.  Areas around us did...we did not.  We got wind. Tonight, thankfully, thunder rolls and showers come and go.  I am ready for a good soaking rain on the gardens.  If this happens, a couple of hundred little plants will be set in their "growing" spots in the morning.  The cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli plants really need to be spaced a bit further apart than I had sowed the seeds but it would have been pointless to transplant them during the drought.  So...we (the plants and I) wait on the rain.

  This morning, I headed to the pier to check the skiff and any fishing gear.  The winds were picking up a bit so it is better to take care of things before it gets too rough.  It was on that quick dash that I had to stop and watch a bee.  Yep, even during iffy weather, I watch the critters.  At the end of the pier, there is a lovely groundsel bush with its poofy white blossoms.  Right in the midst of the bush, there was a single goldenrod branch. I had stopped to admire the beautiful "floral arrangement" when I noticed another goldenrod branch had tilted over the end of the pier.  That was where I found my lovely, little friend.  The bee was hunkered down among the flowers to escape the wind.  While the blooms gave the bee something to grasp, it was still having a wild ride.  The whole thing was bouncing around with each gust.  At one point, the wind lulled and I was able to photograph the bee.  The bee, however, had a different idea.  After just one picture, it up and flew to the oak tree and nestled in among the lichens.  There, it would be safe from the whipping winds.  And I headed back up the hill to the Little Bayou House.

Let It Grow Wild!

   We all hear about "Master Gardeners" or those with a "Green Thumb" but have you ever stopped to wonder just how great they truly are?  Seriously?  Do you really have to label a person as such?  Do they deserve to be called that?  Are they any better than the average gardener?  Just pondering.  

  What brought this on was how plants do not seem to care if you have some fancy label.  They grow.  Throw a seed in the ground and if it was meant to be, it will sprout.  Sorry to burst anyone's bloated ego, but plants do perfectly fine without our help.  Case in point...the groundsel bush.  Across the marsh, there stands a groundsel bush that has never been tended by human hands.  It came up in the marsh with its roots in brackish water.  It has competed for space with the marsh itself.  It has never seen any spiffy fertilizer, be pruned nor sprayed with insecticide.  Yet!  This bush is doing amazingly well.  Just this morning, I could not help but notice how full of blooms it was.  The bush was definitely showing its stuff this morning!

  The groundsel bush or sea myrtle grows wild in the salt marshes.  It is often used to slow erosion along coastal areas.  This is the only native member of the aster family that actually reaches tree size.  Obviously, it is easy to grow!  Later, after the blooms are spent, the wind will scatter the fluffy seeds to start new trees.  Some see this as a nuisance but, personally, I think it is gorgeous.  Mother Nature at her best!  She is the greatest gardener of all time!

Just Stay Home!

  Perhaps it is time to put something out there that may make a point hit home.  At least, if folks really think, it may make this whole "self isolation" or "social distancing" seem a little clearer since there are those who either simply do not understand or who do not care what happens to others.  

  A few weeks ago, I posted a photo of the Groundsel Bush Beetle larva.  This is a pretty, little thing that munches happily on the bushes near the pier.  The critter grows and turns into a small yellow beetle.  The main diet for the larva is the Groundsel Bush hence the name.  It does not venture into the garden to eat my turnip greens nor tomato plants.  It does not infest oak trees nor hickory trees.  It simply stays put on the Groundsel Bush and eats to its heart's content.   Now if that host plant is removed, the larva dies.  

  Trying to explain the importance of social distancing or isolation to some folks is nigh on impossible but it can be compared to the larva and the Groundsel Bush.  If  we remove the host, the virus will die.  It is as simple as that.  Remove ourselves from mass meetings, crowded public places and unnecessary groupings and...wham!...the virus will not have a bunch of hosts in which to live.  These social gatherings of any sort puts us all at danger but also puts everyone else who we interact with in danger as well.  The virus WILL DIE if it has no host...simple as that.

  So, that said, folks, it really boils down to a bit of commonsense and a lot of respect.  Would you want someone bringing the virus to your house?  To infect you?  To infect your loved ones?  Then why do you insist on doing the same?  Stay home!  If you are not an essential person needed to keep this country running...stay home.   If you are not a health care worker of any sort..stay home.  If your services are not direly needed for the safety of others...stay home.  If you are not someone directly helping in some form...stay home!  By getting out, you are putting so many in danger and are making the jobs of those out there trying their best to keep things safe and keep the country rolling much more difficult.  Just STAY HOME!

Prettiest Larva!

  I admit to not being overly fond of caterpillars or larvae of any kind munching away on my garden plants but if they stick to wild plants, I am good.  I will, occasionally, leave certain caterpillars on things like the fennel or parsley simply because I usually have a garden full of plants and I do like butterflies.  However, if the larva turns into some ugly, biting bug, then it has got to go.  Today's larvae do not turn into ugly, biting bugs but rather adorable, innocuous beetles.  

  After hearing the "neighborhood watch" clan throw out their uproar of calls, I decided that I had better check what was happening.  Blue jays are notorious for finding snakes and these were near the pier.  Well, I never found the snake.  I was sidetracked by the beautiful larvae!  The Groundsel bushes next to the pier were literally covered with the tiny caterpillar like things.  The sunshiny day had caused hundreds of the critters to hatch and they were happily munching away on the leaves.  These were the Groundsel Bush Beetle larvae.  (Long name for a tiny critter!)  Although, the larvae were about a half inch long, they were hard to miss.  These are some of the most iridescently colored critters alive!  My interest in photographing a cottonmouth or water snake soon disappeared as I became obsessed with the larvae.

  You would think that a beetle would look a lot like its larva in color, at least.  Not so.  The Groundsel Bush Beetle larva is rainbow colored and quite shiny while the adult beetle is yellow with black stripes and dots.  In fact, they are so different that it took me several seasons before I realized these were one and the same.  Now, I seek out the larvae in early spring to admire their colors and then the beetles during midsummer to do likewise with them.  Yes, they do eat the leaves of the bush but that is not of big concern.  The bushes can grow out of control so I figure the critters are just doing me a favor.

A Handy Stairway?

  On the stroll to the pier this morning, one of the groundsel bushes seemed a bit off.  Several of the main stalks were bare of leaves and had what appeared to be a hefty growth of oyster shells going up the side!   Nope, not oyster shells at all but a type of mushroom.  The shelf mushrooms had formed a virtual "ladder" up the tree trunk as if to give an easy escape from high tide for any faeries that may live under the pier.  I figure that is probably a good thing since we do not want our pier faeries trapped by high water!

  Actually, this is not the best news for the groundsel bush.  When this type of mushroom is seen growing on the main trunk of any tree, it is quite a dire situation for that tree.  These usually only grow on dead or dying trees. Even if they are found on a live tree, somehow that tree has been weakened to the point that it is about to die.  The mushrooms are sort of Mother Nature's cleanup crew as they slowly draw any nutrients they need from the dead tree causing it to decay much faster.  In a weird sort of way, I find that a comforting thought.  At least, the tree did not die in vain.  Life goes on in the form of the mushrooms.

  As I walked passed the small shrub, I reached out and snapped off the tip of the branch.  Yep, the bush had already died.  Happily, the other shrubs seem to be healthy and happy.  They soon will be covered with the groundsel bush beetle larvae and many other insects.  This will cause the birds of the area to go into a feeding frenzy on the bushes.  Marsh life...only for the hardy.

A Bit of Beauty in the Marsh!

  Down in the marsh, there are a lot of plants that seem to flourish in the brackish waters.  One of these grows right next to the pier.  It brushes my shoulders each time I pass.  Usually, I am more concerned about any critters that may be hiding among the thick leaves than I am the limbs.  Bees, beetles, ants, spiders and moths all seem to love the bush!  Today, however, I was a bit leery about getting the little tufts of fluff caught in my hair!  As I eased my way off the pier, a flurry of tiny, hairy seeds rose into the air!  It looked like our version of a snow storm.  (Here in the Deep South, we have to use our imaginations to have snow!)

  The Groundsel bush was covered with the white achenes (seed like things) that go flying in all directions at the least disturbance.  I pondered about this bush as I finished my hike up the hillside.  In the spring, blossoms dot the bush but are not significant enough to call notice.  Come fall, however, the bush is a pretty thing with its silvery white fluffs and oval leaves.  Hundreds of the shrubs dot the marsh edges as far as you can see back into the Bayou.  It makes for a beautiful sight!  

  The Groundsel bush is the only eastern species of the aster family to get to tree-size.  It can grow up to twelve feet in height and branches out to be a rather full shrub.  It is tolerant of the salt spray making it a nice ornamental plant for the Coast.  It does have rather weak wood and breaks easily but is fast growing.  If a storm does flatten it, a couple of months later, it is back in place.  I like the Groundsel bushes and their flying tufts.  They bring a bit of brightness to the otherwise drab marsh.

Here's Mama!

  For the past several years, I have been noticing some pretty elaborate caterpillar looking critters happily munching on the leaves of the Groundsel bushes near the shore end of the pier.  Groundsel bushes are also known as salt myrtle as they grow in or around salt marshes.  They are low growing, thick bushes that make a plethora of fluffy, white seeds that look a lot like swarming termites when they are being scattered by the wind.  (Yes, termites are bad down here so anytime there is a "swarm" of anything, we think termites.) The caterpillars munch away on the leaves until the bushes are pretty much stripped.  Then, the little buggers go into hiding until they do their larva-changing-into-adult thing.  

  Today, instead of caterpillars, I found the adults.  The adults are beetles that look quite different from the caterpillars or larvae   Where the young are brightly colored and iridescent (almost metallic looking), the beetles are bright yellow and black.  The beetles were so busy eating that they were oblivious to my attempts at photographing them.  Dozens of the critters crawled about the bush and I am sure there were just as many on the other bushes along the shoreline.  We have an infestation of cute, little bugs!

  Long story, made short.  It seems that the beetle was introduced to keep the invasive Groundsel bush in check.  While I cannot vouch for the veracity of the story, it may make sense in a weird sort of way to whoever thought of it.  Why not introduce yet another possibly invasive species into an area that is plagued by so many?   I will say, if the bush is invasive, the caterpillars and beetles are doing their part of stripping the leaves and perhaps weakening it but who is to say that these critters are not going to move on to other plants?  Oh, well.  At least they are cute!...but I could do with the invasive part.  Maybe if they ate termites....just saying...

The Quick Escape!

  Watching the critters on the Bayou and surrounding hillside is a favorite pastime of mine.  After the chores are finished, it is not unusual to find me on my hands and knees staring at some critter.  A couple of days ago, it was another skink that caught my eye.  A gorgeous red headed skink was lounging on a groundsel bush limb in the edge of the marsh.  I had the perfect vantage point to watch the lizard while sitting in somewhat comfort on the pier.  The skink caught a few swamp flies before drowsing for a bit.  The bit of sunshine made me want to do the same.  It was quiet, hot and humid which made for a good resting time.  At least I was in the shade!  The lizard, however, was sitting out in the wide open as he dozed.  He had nary a care in the world....so he thought!

  My pretty skink almost met his pretty end by being lazy.  It was not long before a blue jay spied the lizard and decided that it looked a lot like lunch.  The bird was in a pine tree that sat right above the groundsel bush.  While the skink rested, the jay swooped down to make the catch!  Oh, my!  I have never seen a lizard move so fast in all my days!  The startled skink flipped off the branch and raced toward the pier.  If he could make it under the pier, he might be safe!  The blue jay was having no part of this and flew after the skink.  Twice, the bird flipped the lizard up in the air and, twice, the skink escaped.  Hurry, Mr. Skink!  Hurry!

  I am happy to say that the skink did, indeed, make it under the pier. Just in the nick of time, he darted under the pier and dove under some matted marsh. Whew!  The skink was safe, the bird was still hungry and I just witnessed a near miss.  I bet old Mr. Skink will think twice about snoozing on the groundsel bush again!

Mother Nature's Fall Decorations

  It is no secret that fall is my favorite time of year.  What is not to like about this season?  My goodness!  Things are nigh on perfect!  The temperatures are dropping, the gnats are fewer, the Little Bayou House can be decorated to the hilt and no one thinks it is crazy and Mother Nature puts on a show like no other!  While everyone else is oohing and ahhing over pumpkin spice everything, I am doing the same about the sights, smells and sounds around the Bayou.  

  One of my favorite things that Mother Nature grants to us is the gorgeous Goldenrod blooms.  These things spring up in the oddest places but I always leave them when I find them.  The golden spikes just ooze the beauty of fall!  Down near the pier, there is one section of the yard that I did not mow for some time now.  This area is filled with the bright yellow blooms.  It is relaxing to see their golden noggins swaying in the gentle Bay breeze.  

  Yep, the marsh never looks so pretty as it does in the fall!  Along with the goldenrod, there are marsh asters, groundsel bush and duck potatoes.  Each are supplying a lovely bit of interest to an otherwise bland bunch of reeds.  The blooms are like little jewels!  Beauty is where you find it.  I find it in the marsh.  Mother Nature has done well with her fall decorations!

Lending a Bit of Color

  The weather has taken a turn toward the chilly side tonight.  The Bayou is expected to feel nigh on freezing air by morning so any trip to the pier had better see me bundled up good and proper.  Then again...I may just decide that the warm blankets are a safe bet and stay huddled beneath them until the sun is well in the sky.  Mark has stated that he wants to go fishing in the morning so that cozy idea of blankets may just not come true.  Still, a hike down the pier to view the sunrise always gets my day started off on the right direction.  After viewing the peaceful setting, I am eager to get started on whatever projects are at hand.  Currently, the project is a bunch of gourds that need to be transformed into bowls,  These gourds all need to be painted. A bit of bright color always adds so much to an otherwise bland look.

  Speaking of bright colors, our minimal bit of fall-like colors have faded and gone the wayside.  Now we are set of the drab browns and greys of winter.  It is rare to find much in the way of bright hues during the colder months so I take what I can find.  One sure provider is that sun whether it be rising or setting.  The sky is ablaze with the brilliance but the colors are not limited to just that.  Down near the pier, there are several Sea Myrtle or Groundsel bushes.  During the summer, the bush is covered with sort of nondescript, white blossoms but come fall, those blooms give way to fluffy, white seeds. These seeds are actually more showy than the flowers themselves.  They add a bit of beauty to the marsh just as they are but let the rays of the early morning sun hit them and they are phenomenally beautiful.  The sunrise lends a bit of its color to the bush causing the seeds to appear almost red.  This is just another reason that I do like to rise before dawn.

  Perhaps, I will venture down the hillside in the morning...freezing weather or not.  I may just be surprised with another fine discovery such as the Sea Myrtle in its full glory.  

Silvery Clouds

  Mark can be thankful that he is out of town at the moment.  The Sea Myrtle bush is sending up clouds of seeds with the stiff northerly winds that we are feeling these past few days.  He would be sneezing his head off with each pass through the front yard or trek down the pier.  These bushes flank the first part of the pier making a nice passageway most of the summer but come fall, watch out!  The seeds float on the wind much like the familiar dandelion puffs.  Each seed is an allergen causing a fit of sneezing for those affected by them.  Mark occasionally does find some plant, either flowering or seeding, that wreaks havoc on his sinuses.  For some strange reason, I have been fortunate enough to be immune from the effects of the same plants.  (This is one of those "knock on wood" instances, though, as I sure hope I never have that problem!  As much as I wander about the hillside, if allergic, I would be sneezing my head slap off!)

  The Sea Myrtle is one of those plants that goes by a number of names.  It is a small shrub that is often called Consumption Weed, Groundsel, Salt Bush and Silverling.  Sea Myrtle and Salt Bush are names deriving from the fact that it is a coastal plant.  It can survive in brackish waters and marshes. Silverling is a name coming from when the female plant is covered with its white blooms and then it fluffy, white seeds.  At that time, the bush has a shiny, silvery look to it.  Consumption Weed is an old common name given to the bush since it was once used in treating consumption (Tuberculosis).  (This was not necessarily a good thing as the plant is said to be toxic to humans and animals alike.  Perhaps it did cure the consumption but probably caused a whole host of other problems when doing so.)  The true name is Baccharis or Groundsel.  

  Whatever the shrub is called, I like it.  This time of year is usually a bit void of flowering plants and the Sea Myrtle brightens up the area a bit. Its silvery masses can be seen on all shorelines. The sun glints off the bright white fluff making it appear as if a cloud has softly fallen into the marsh. Then a gust of wind whips through and the cloud gently rises and scatters.  Seeds fly everywhere.  To me, this is a pretty sight although I know that every seed has the potential to sprout and form a new bush. Soon the shoreline will be nothing but Groundsel or Sea Myrtle,  The cloud will spread from one end of the property to the other and Mark will continue to have sneezing fits each October.    

Allergy Aggravating Clouds?

Right at the edge of the marsh stands a neat little bush that I love...Mark hates!  This bush is not a problem for him except when its branches flop over onto the pier and hinders his walk down to the boat.  Another slight problem is its seeds.  These seeds are not the sticky kind that attach themselves to your very being but rather the poofy kind that will float around in the air like tiny feathers.  They blow everywhere given the slightest breeze.  I believe these little, floaty seeds are one of the causes of his occasional sneezing attacks when he is out and about.  Once in a Blue Moon, he has problems with something in the air and I have no doubts that my little bush is the culprit!

 

The bush in question is the Groundsel Bush or Sea Myrtle.  It is a smallish shrub that has no problem growing  in the marsh with its roots right smack dab in the brackish water.  There it seems to flourish or at least the ones here do.  I like the bush as it adds a bit of happiness to the otherwise drab colors of the marsh.  The white blooms burst forth in midsummer and last until early fall.  Then the flowers turn to seed pods that seemingly spew out millions of fluffy white tidbits.  When there is even the slightest of southerly breezes, the hillside is awash in fluff.  It is everywhere!  I used to worry constantly that these were bugs but I have come to realize that most of the bugs that swarm like this, do so in the early summer.   My fluff is just that..fluff!  Granted that fluff is probably spawning thousands upon thousands of other Groundsel bushes all over the hillside but still the cloud of white is pretty in a strange sort of way.

Today when we were headed to the pier, Ms. Ez decided it would be most fun to pounce on the bush.  She did..the cloud arose..she had a sneezing fit!  What fun!  The bush poofed out a cloud of seeds!  The hillside was white.  Ezzy sneezed and sneezed.  I laughed and laughed!  I do believe that Ms. Ez learned a lesson about pouncing on fluffy bushes!  Still tonight, she is having sneezing attacks.  The pollen evidently is in her fur and as she snoozes it softly lands about her.  Ahhhh  Choooo!  She then stands up, bewildered and wildly thrashes her head.  My dog has allergies! I guess if this keeps up, I will give her one of her pills and hope for a quiet night.  Poor Ez!