Well I've been busy so Zoo edition!

 The weather has been gorgeous, though having to run the AC for part of the day still. The garden is surviving and slow. I went to the 'World Famous San Diego Zoo' yesterday and yes, took a few pictures of plants that were unusual. I do mean a few as I was with a youngster and had to keep an eye on her as we walked around.

The prickly plant is an Ethiopian Acanthus (Acanthus sennii). The reason why it is notable is the 'standard' Bear's Breach (Acanthus mollis) that is seen in gardens looks completely different. Talk about a plant that will keep people away! The waterfall was in one of the exhibits, I think the tigers, I was trying to get a shot of the water stopping individually in droplets but couldn't figure out the setting on my camera.

 

Tigers napping in the middle of the day and a Serval that was pacing and stopping at the access door maybe waiting for the afternoon food. 

And a grouping of very well established pachypodiums, also known as 'Madagascar Palm' but is definitely not related to palms at all.

Now on to my rather dull and plodding garden.

The shelf rack/potting rack I acquired. It has to go up against the building in the position due to the gutter that is behind it leaking and running over on the front railing side. We can't turn it against the wall due to the window being there. The little pot on the wood shelf is my collection of baby potatoes. I assessed that oregano plant yesterday morning and realized it was failing fast. By the next day it was almost completely gone. 

Following the directions I had read I stirred up the dirt in the south bed, then plopped all the potatoes on the soil, pushing them in a little. No problem keeping that soil moist and it is definitely indirect light. The two larger reds were actually left overs from the previous batch of potatoes that had been sitting out in the window box.

And in digging up the east bed to see if the other potatoes were at least sprouting I discovered that yes, indeed one was and the other had rotted so some progress at least. cover it up and protection in place. 

It was going to be warm yesterday so I put everything in the shade and you can't see it but there is a butterfly on the zinnia! It was a Gulf Frittilary from what I could tell and even got video of another visit this morning.

I will have to leave it here as it is that time of day and will do a part two tomorrow. Yes indeed, more pictures of what is sort of happening in my garden and flowers!