The white flowers below are known as Late boneset, a species of Bonesets (Eupatorium). Other names are Lateflowering thoroughwort, Fall Boneset, and Late eupatorium. This plant is classified as a weed. The plant type is HERB (although I am yet to find a use for it, other than it may help our bees since it blooms in the Fall.)
Below is a video of a visitor we followed to the pond. This turtle may actually live in the pond, although we have not seen it sitting on any logs over the summer. The other possibility is that this turtle has decided to visit our pond the ‘test the waters’. The presence of the goats doesn’t seem to alarm this turtle.
Unwanted Visitor (below): Over the past three nights, an unwanted visitor has been digging up our plants and fruit trees. Both avocado trees, and two cherry trees were all found on the ground and totally uprooted. In addition, some of pumpkin plants were uprooted. All of these plants are outside of the goat yard, so we can’t blame this on the goats. Even though deer enjoy the leaves of our pumpkins, they do not usually uproot the plants. This is most probably the work of a possum or an armadillo. Our money is on the armadillo. However, we have never seen this much destruction of the plants. We are open to other suggestions on the identity of the culprit, so please send us your ideas.
BELOW: Over the past few years, the farm has instituted programs to enhance the survival rate of the turkeys and the bluebirds in this area. We have also attempted to promote a heathy herd of deer. Based on our trail camera pictures, these efforts are working. Although we are not seeing many female turkeys and their poults on the trail cameras, we are seeing an increased number of Toms. We are also seeing more deer, and more twin fawns than in the past. The drought was not good for any animals on the farm. Hopefully, the Fall will bring rain and allow our current population of turkeys, bluebirds, and deer to thrive.
This beautiful Cock’s comb (species of Cockcombs (Celosia) is also known as a Woolflower, or a Twisted Red. It is an outdoor annual and requires full sun to thrive. Aunt Mercedes shared this picture from her back yard in southern Louisiana.
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First Squirrel Hunt! Congrats EC! (YES, we do eat Squirrel in Louisiana and Mississippi).
