Dog days and other "wildlife"..

We are in the dog days for sure...

In the shade...

It turns out the phrase was not based on it being so hot that dogs just lie on the asphalt panting. Instead, it comes from the Greeks and Romans. The “dog days” occurred around the day when Sirius (the dog star) appeared to rise just before the sun, in late July. They referred to these days as the hottest time of the year, a period that could bring fever, or even catastrophe. Now, catastrophe is a strong word, but there have definitely been winners and losers in my garden since the rains stopped. Insects have been doing well....

Dragonfly- maybe a skimmer or pondhawk? Cleverly hiding on a dead pyracantha twig 

 Green lynx spider in the goldenrod

 Katydid in the Pride of Barbados

Black and yellow argiope spider.. there were two on the Green Belt on either side of the path, easily two inches long (including their legs)..

As for my plants, well... Some have done fabulously..

This is my first year growing plumeria and I'm impressed by how well it does on a hot balcony with only sporadic watering.. The one below was a gifted cutting that I plunked into a pot just a few weeks ago and it is growing new leaves and continuing to flower.

I planted two Texas milkweeds from the Natural Gardener just before the rains stopped and they have settled in and spread out wonderfully. I have them to host Monarchs, but they also have beautiful blooms too.

I have come to really enjoy Turks cap. Mine haven't formed berries yet but their blooms are going strong.

This Mexican honeysuckle is in a very dry spot that blisters with afternoon sun and reflected light.

I have a number of Flame Acanthuses and most are orange- this red one is a lovely contrast.

My new pomegranate tree 

Mexican mint marigold

Some plants are so so..

Passionflower vine (all volunteer) looking a bit heated in the afternoon- though it is still putting out beautiful blooms.

Mistflower tucked in with the Turks cap up front getting chewed up by some insect..

Soft-leaf yucca looking sunburned

And then some plants are looking crispy..

This bulbine has seen better days

My Mexican Plum is droopy. A leftover patch of (much hated) bamboo roots have invaded the spot I planted it in and I'm afraid they are out competing the plum tree. I have chopped down any bamboo shoots but have not dug the roots as they are close to the plum tree roots (and it's a million degrees outside!). 

Oh well- I hope the plum tree pulls through but I may just be spending more time playing in water and pools than gardening much this month.... 

Green Belt goodness a few weeks ago- ah!

Thanks to Tina at http://mygardenersays.com/ for hosting Wildlfe Wednesday!