Live oak covered with Spanish moss (not a real moss but a member of the genus Tillandsia, which makes it a flowering plant. There is also ball moss (another Tillandsia), resurrection fern and some Florida butterfly orchids as well as lichens. This tree is a true ecosystem onto itself.
Here is a mix of ball moss and Florida butterfly orchids.
Southern pinxter azalea – a native Florida plant.
Abbot’s bagworm moth, always a nice find.
Eastern giant swallowtail 0n the leeft and Long-tailed skipper on the right.
After leaving Sugar Mill Gardens we went to Reed Canal Park where we had good looks at Muscovy ducks which are really strange critters.
The real treat at Reed Canal Park were the Ruddy Ducks. I always have a lot of trouble finding these so it was fun to not only seen a few, but also photograph them.
More later…
Michael's Place 