Sandhill Crane (Grass canadenis) relaxing in the Rookery area of Flamingo Gardens. It is distinguished by it’s large size and red forehead. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
These birds are unwanted in neighborhoods because they are agressive due to habitat destruction threatening their population in Florida. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
CLICK on the image above for more information on living with Sandhill Cranes. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Is this what some mean when they become worried about letting immigrants into our country? They do tend to forget how this country was founded. And that perhaps they became the invasive subjects when they naturalized and literally choked out the native American Indians. Or perhaps, because they know this, they fear it may happen again and they’ll become the minority. Ok, enough politics tonight…
Anyway, the Oyster Plant (Tradescantia spathacea), is a popular Florida garden plant which has become naturalized and “gone wild”.
This bit of color in the shady part of the garden was at the Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale.
Close-up image of the Oyster Plant bringing color to the shady part of this garden. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Overall image of Oyster Plant in it’s setting in the interior courtyard at the Bonnet House. CLICK the image above for more information on the Oyster Plant. Coyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
This is a member of the lovely vining Morning Glory family, opening its blossoms as the morning light highlights its beauty. However, this species is one of those non-native, Eurasian varieties that is a dreaded invasive visitor in American gardens. Known as Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) I enjoyed taking its portrait during a morning bike ride along a Lake Michigan pathway in Lincoln Park, far from any cultivated gardens. They appeared a fair distance from a prairie restoration area and were isolated from the golf course by a stone wall making their appearance more tolerable to the native purist. This Bind Weed did emulate its name wrapping around other vegetation proliferating this informal, unplanned area of horticulture.
Portrait of an invader (pretty but unfriendly). Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Catching the sunlight. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Busy morning on the Bind Weed Morning Glory. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
A Dandelion (Traxacum officinal) Eurasian flower is actually a composite of many small flowers. Every part of it edible. Children have entertained themselves by blowing the feathery seeds off the stem, watching them float carefree through the warm summer air. Dandelions are weeds in North America, and weeds are aggressive non-sharers of space and resources. However, if you welcome Dandelion into your garden as food or entertainment then you would not consider them an invasive weed.
I marvel at the intricate design of this flower and it’s ability to change from a sea of hot summer yellow to plump pillows of white. Admittedly, it is unwanted in my yard; I am part of the majority who consider it a weed. So any I find in my garden are removed plant by plant during the year.
I admire this beauty in nearby meadows and parklands. And yes, I still enjoy the challenge of blowing the seeds off the stem in one breath.
Closeup of Dandelion bloom cluster. copyright 2015 Pamela Breitberg
Dandelions in the grass. Copyright 2015 Pamela Breitberg