Yellowish

The whole pond region has transformed since my last visit in mid-July. Two weeks of fairly regular rains and no human visitors and the dangle-pod (Sesbania herbacea) has colonized in among the dog-fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) and a new growth of grasses and sedge seem to be filling in the empty spaces. The far west region of the clearing has the same appearance as the other parts we have cleared -- sprouting dog fennel and dangle weed, yellow-nut sedge (Cyperus esculentus), purslane and pusley crawling along the ground building succulent leaves -- but when you kneel down and look closer to the ground you can see the mistakes we made last winter. In a regrettable act of hubris, no efforts were made to contain the red Brasilian pepper seeds, and the cold weather seems to have incubated them well. Brazilian pepper sprouts (Schinus terebinthifolius) are everywhere. Our first task this fall will be to remove them.

Overall, the area has taken on the quiet beauty of late summer Florida. Beach sunflowers have covered a pile of sticks, opening their smiley yellow faces to the hot summer sun. Similarly, dozens upon dozens of this golden yellow aster (Pityopsis gaminifolia) are blooming across the Palm Hammock Nature Area, lending subtle highlights to the landscape's sun-baked green appearance. Fall, our growing season, will be upon us soon.