Playin' Outside

  If you attended Festival of Flowers in San Antonio this year (2026), I promised access to the slides in my presentation.  They, along with bonus slides at the end, are posted here if you follow this link . Thanks to the San Antonio Water System for its sponsorship and engagement, and thank YOU for participating!  Special thanks to Wizzie Brown, AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist - IPM.  She inspires and educates in equal measure.    

As much as I enjoy watching the changes in my garden this time of year, this week brought a couple of real standouts.  The larkspur thicket is hosting a NectarFest for several White-lined Sphinx Moths, also referred to as hummingbird moths, and the Manfreda 'Chocolate Chips' is competing for attention nearby.  The White-lined Sphinx Moth is one of three "hummingbird moths" species found in the Austin area.   The shot above shows the wing colors, although in flight its wings seem to disappear.    These moths zip and hover just like their namesake bird, and in my garden are often spotted just before dusk rather than at night.   Although I'm not much of a photographer, I somehow managed to capture a close-up showing the long proboscis of this interesting creature.   My other current garden standout is one of the most interesting pass along plants I've ever received.   A couple of years ago it migrated my way from  Eleanor , anoth...