Azaleas in Autumn?

 Our azalea always has a few blooms in the fall, as well as the usual spring showing. Seems odd to see spring blossoms and fall colors at the same time.

My potted tomatoes grew lots of vine, clear up to the eves, and produced just a few tomatoes.  The plants were tagged as yellow tomatoes, but turned out to be red ones. Ah, well, they were tasty and made some really nice plants by the back porch.

Midweek nature study

 

I haven't identified this the insect. Does anyone know his name?   He was a big one! I found him crawling around slowly in my lantana.  . With the cooler fall weather, even the carpenter bees are moving slowly, so this one didn't seem to mind at all if I got in real close for a portrait.  Love those hairy legs!      The hollyhock has just begun to bloom. Grown from seed planted this spring.  The sassafras trees between our houses are at their peak color, fairly glowing in reds and orange shades. Fall colors are coming on everywhere, now.

Update on the "big bug":  He's a WHEEL BUG. 

 I found him on www.whatsthatbug.com    and also on wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_bug

October 5 In my Yard

     Autumn crocus, cosmos, and  a single  geranium.