Fort Morgan in February 2018

These are 3 iconic views of historic Fort Morgan which is about a 30-45 minute drive from Gulf Shores, Alabama. It stands at the mouth of Mobile Bay and was used in both the War of 1812 and the Civil War. This is a good time of year to visit the fort (especially with children) as it is not so hot and is pleasant to climb the many sets of steps throughout the fort and walk through the cool passageways.
 I "discovered" a passage that was too dark to see your hand in front of your face. It made several turns so that light was excluded, and ended in a small room that was used for ???  It brought a feeling of excitement and mystery that one seldom finds in any public places these days. I was standing in the tunnel to let my eyes adjust when someone came in from the entrance with a flashlight. He was very startled to see someone already there and started to go back. I invited him to come on by me and bring his light so that we all got to see and go on the adventure together.
 In 2008 an unexploded ordnance from the Civil War battle was found during construction. There are discoveries to be made, but some not so pleasant.
 Fort Morgan is a National Historic Landmark administered by the National Park Service. Admission is adults $7, students and seniors $5, but if you have a National Park pass, just drive on in.

Orange Tiger Lilies

I say that I don't really care for orange flowers, but I might as well fess up to the truth: I like them as individuals. How could you not love these stately old  orange tiger lilies?  These are the epitome of pass-along plants. Nearly every gardener who has been at it a long time has at least one clump. They grow vigorously, multiplying from both the bulb in the ground and the bulbils that form between the stem and leaf axils.They have few enemies and stand up well to almost any environment. They do best in full sun, though. I have some whose site has gotten shadier through the years (hazard of old gardens), and they are not blooming as well s they used to.
In Auburn Alabama, everyone wants orange flowers.

Southern Homes Christmas

The trees at Southern Homes in Wetumpka is usually a real treat, but this year they were a far cry from what they have been in the past. Maybe it was because of the economy and the store did not want to buy a lot of stuff they might not be able to sell, but the trees were a disappointment. But I did thing this arrangement over a waterfall was nice. It would look good over a door or any entry (even a garden,haHa.

Decorations at Wind Creek Casino in Atmore

The Wind Creek casino at the Atmore Exit Interstate 65 has a beautiful Christmas lights display. I find it difficult to take pictures of Christmas lights so this is the best I can do at this time. But they were lovely. I have always loved Christmas lights and think that Christmas cannot be complete without a Christmas lights tour. do take a look at the casino's decorations. You don't need to gamble or buy anything. Just walk in and enjoy. That is if you can stand the sight of people loosing money they may need next week. The lights are on the outside though , but you do have to enter the casino to get to the outside display.

More Big butterflies

When I first saw this butterfly I thought it was a big swallowtail, but when I looked at the picture I knew that it was NOT a swallowtail. Where are the tails?? I consulted Gary Mullen who told me it was a female Diana Fritillary and it normally lives farther north in Alabama, in the northeast of Alabama, in fact. He was surprised and pleased to see one  this far south (Waverly). This species has seen a decline recently. It's caterpillars feed on violets. I was surprised and pleased to have found something at least semi-rare, even if  I didn't know it when I took the picture.

This butterfly is a Giant Swallowtail.. It can be identified by the X across its wings and the eyespots on the upper wings, and of course its tails. I have seen quite a few of these last year and this. The butterflies seem huge this year.

Sloe Plum Ready for the Holidays

 

Several years ago I decorated my sloe plum with Christmas balls. I had seen this done on a similar small tree at the Botanical Garden in Chapel hill, NC. It was stunning with snow all around. Because the tree has thornlike fruit spurs, I leave the decorations on all year. Also because to me it seems an unnecessary task and I like to see the balls. They are especially nice when the tree is in bloom. At any rate I usually add a few every year, as the older ones fall or become grimy looking. I am working on an idea to put some in the top of the tree without getting my eyes stabbed out.
I originally got this tree from seed collected at Allen's Mill in Chambers county, Alabama. I have to trim it every year to keep it from becoming a hazard with low growing limbs, but in the last couple years, it is becoming more erect and my trimming job has decreased.

Alabama in August

Lest you forget, this is Alabama, this is August, and summer is not over yet. The soaring humidity left over from the recent rains generated by Hurricane Fay, is enough to melt a Greek statue. Even the dog has given up chasing the squirrels. She stretches her belly against the cool concrete and is thankful. The squirrels are swinging in the swamp dogwood , feasting on berries and shaking a rain of plums off the slow plumb tree. The rain brought up an abundant crop of mushrooms of every sort. I have seen several fairy rings the last few days.

It’s best not to move too fast in this weather. Do what you can in the morning and take a nap after lunch. Night is coming and it will be cool enough then to sit for a while on the porch and enjoy the cacophony of insect song