This summer was hot! But the insects and flowers didn’t mind too much and my cucumber plants were growing very, very well! They were happy cucumbers!

As the season has been winding down, cucumber leaves become inundated with hundreds of aphids. I don’t mind them too much and I never spray with insecticide since I have already harvested the cucumbers and other visitors have arrived to help me out. You see, with these aphids come the sugar ants that farm the aphids, tending to them and milking them of their honeydew. Honeydew is just a nice word for aphid poop, which is very sweet. and who can resist things that are sweet. As the aphids feed on the leaves, they become a great source of food for the ladybugs who have come by the hundreds to feast on them. On any given day you can see the ladybugs flying around the leaves and then laying their eggs. Soon after the ladybug nymphs hatch (see below) and….

start devouring the aphids in short order. Of course ladybugs aren’t the end of the food chain around here. No, with so much wildlife inhabiting the cucumber patch, it was only a matter of time before the Texas Spiny lizard would come along and take advantage of the buffet too.

Moving along to the Texas sage, it has been very prolific this ear, blooming with every change in air pressure we got from passing thunderstorms. These flowers smell very pungent which some people don’t like. But the bees certainly love them. and this little Anole here loves the bees!!

Another stunner today is the begonia a good friend gave me. It has flowered beautifully this year.

The pond has been pretty good about giving us a water lily display this year.

And the Mutabulis rose has sent out some pretty blooms that are being eaten as soon as they appear by the many deer around here.

I found this really neat red jumping spider in my lemon tree. He is welcome there, as I have some ants and mealybug he possibly could clean up for me.

And speaking of jumping spiders, (my favorite type of spider) here is a Bold Jumping spider. They are so darned cute.

And eating my fennel we have some swallowtail caterpillars. Butterflies is the only reason I have fennel in my garden.  In a couple of days he will go and find a hiding spot to pupate…..

and turn into this lovely beauty. This big fella is just emerging and in the process of extending his wings by pumping fluid into the veins.

After about 15 minutes his wings will have unfurled into their full glory and he will be ready to  flutter off in search of some nectar.

Speaking of butterflies, time is flying on and fall is on our doorstep. With it will come hundreds of butterflies migrating down from our northern states . They will stop over here in this garden and replenish their energy stores on plants like this Blue Mistflower. This queen butterfly is just one of many that will eventually fly to recharge .

They say Texas does not really have seasons, but even though it may not be as obvious here, the seasons bring different animals and insects and blooms and temperatures. Thankfully our winters are not too cold and there is always something happening in the garden to keep us on our toes.