Creatures of the Night

I live in a suburb south of Austin, Texas.  I used to think I lived in the country, but with all the people moving into this area it is becoming less country and more urban.  However, the creatures wandering in and out of my yard haven't been told about this new development. 

I was noticing flowerpots being turned over on my deck and talked to a few people about it trying to figure out what was going on.  My supervisor said he had a couple of wildlife cameras I could borrow so I could see what was happening at night.  I had no idea there were nightly parties going on in my backyard while I was sleeping.

I have seen deer, skunk, raccoon, armadillo, opossum, and fox.  Luckily I haven't seen a coyote or a mountain lion, but have heard they are lurking around a little further out from my subdivision. 

Since initially borrowing my supervisor's cameras, I bought one for myself and am obsessed with seeing the nightly antics.  The camera will take pictures or video, both are fun but I particularly enjoy watching the videos and hope you enjoy some of my favorites.

Bee Balm

Another stunning beauty in my yard this spring is Bee Balm (Monarda). 


I believe I inherited this pass along plant from Linda who blogs at Patchwork Garden http://patchworkgarden.blogspot.com/  When she gave me the plant in October, it had no bloom and was just a spindly little thing.  I had no idea it would grow to almost five feet tall and have the most beautiful pinkish purplish color.  I don't even know what color this is.  Fuchsia?


If I were to name this plant, I might call it Bee, Butterfly, and Hummingbird Balm because it has so many other visitors besides just bees.  And, the deer don't bother it.  I definitely need more of this gem!

Basket Flower

Finally, I have figured out what this tall, beautiful, and intriguing flower is!  It's Basket Flower (Centaurea Americana). 


I'm sure I planted it from seed along with hundreds of other wildflower seeds that I threw out this past fall.  I have all sorts of things popping up, not knowing if they are going to turn into flowers or a weed that will become invasive.  So, I decided to let ride...leaving it to grow larger, and larger to almost five feet tall.  Thank goodness it turned out to be this stunning beauty!


I hope the rest of the unknown plants I am letting grow turn out this well.