Frog on a Lily Pad

Bradley took this picture of our medium-sized frog sitting on a lily pad this morning before the frogger hopped into the water, making a little mini-croak as he/she did.

Green Grasshopper Nymph

I believe this is a Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca) Nymph on my Mum plant. Its body has the same velvety texture as the Mum's leaves.

Herb Garden

Mom gave me the remainder of her Watercress seeds (thanks, ma!), and I finally did away with my past prime Swiss Chard to make room for the newcomer. I've never grown Watercress before, so wish me luck.

Pictured and labeled are the current members of my herb garden along with other plants (non-edible) that I grow nearby. This spot on my patio gets filtered shade throughout the hottest part of the day, so the potted guys do well here. This time of year, they'd burn up in full sun, even though their instructions call for "full sun."

In the upper picture: Thyme, Chives, Ginger, Basil, Sage, Parsley, Peppermint, Watercress (to be), and Spearmint along with non-edibles including Jade, Coral Bells, Mums, Ivy, Creeping Jenny, Agapanthus, and various succulents. (Click picture for larger image.)

In the lower picture: Herbs that grow in other parts of the garden. Rosemary (the creeping, trailing kind), Oregano (recovering in a shady spot from getting roasted while I was away), Curry Plant (not the curry one cooks with — it's sold as an herb anyway, smells delicious), and Fennel (has quickly grown to about six feet tall and is mingling with tomato plants).

Western Conifer Seed Bugs

Leptoglossus occidentalis. A Leaf-Footed Bug in the "True Bugs" category. Also known as "The Walky Bug" and "The Flick Bug." And here's an awesome page (in French, but so what?) on all kinds of Leaf-Footed Bugs.

My guess was that these are Stink Bugs, but that is not the case, though they will stink you if you mess with 'em. Or so they say. I'm happy not to know first-hand.

Various websites say these guys like to suck sap out of trees like Pines, Spruces, and Pistachios, but lately I keep finding them on my Red Yucca's developing seed pods. Perhaps they provide yummy, nutritious sap? Red Yucca plants are poisonous to humans, but for buggy-bugs, maybe not. The seed pods, if not good for food, are apparently just peachy for doin' it.

Last, a picture of Red Yucca flower stalks with developing seed pods and even some impossible to distinguish Western Conifer Seed Bugs. The stalks are now taller than I am — like, seven or eight feet high. A great plant. Great plant.

Spider Lilies (& Water Lilies)

When I got back from Wisconsin and Minnesota, our pond was looking great, thanks very much to Bradley. Both of the Water Lilies were blooming, and the Spider Lily was blooming for the first time. I missed the first few flowers, but luckily they just kept on coming.

Above and below: Spider Lily. I love it!

Below: Water Lily. I'm not sure which variety it is. While I was gone, Bradley spotted one of our froglets sitting on a lily pad. Isn't that funny?! By the way, all three tadpoles are froglets now. I don't yet know at what point one knows a froglet has become a frog, but I'll find out.

Pond Plants & Surrounding

This might help. Labeled. Click to enlarge image.