Praying Mantis Spotting

I was watering the canna lilies 

last week and found a 

friend watching me.

Such a lucky find!

And he [or she}

was a bizarre beauty.

That praying mantis seemed

to interact with me.

The planters at the clubhouse have done

really well this summer.

The cannas are about 6 feet tall

and bloom prolifically.

The skirt of annuals at the base

Fuschia 'Autumnale'

Yellow Strawflower

Coleus 'Wicked Hot'

Double Orange Superbells

Bidens 'Painted Red'

has definitely balanced the 

splendor at the top.

They are all Proven Winners--

and I totally agree!

The mantis may have kept the insects

and other pests in balance too.

All Vines Blooming

 

I went out to the patio this morning.

It's in the low 60s temperature-wise.

The clouds are plentiful

and there is a stiff breeze.

What a surprise to find

all the vines blooming.

The moonflowers were still open.

Did they think it was night?

The black-eyed Susan vine

Thunbergia alata

was abundant in all its shades of rose.

And even the passion vine had many blooms.

I was concerned about it since it hasn't 

bloomed for many weeks.

No problem now!

There were many buds too.

But not many more days 

to show off...