A visit to Carla Black's Heliconia farm called "Finca Las Chichicas".

Just up the road near Volcan is a magical place called "Finca Las Chichica" owned by Carla Black and Angel Rodriguez.  They have a wonderful collection of rare and endangered heliconias ~ approximately 120 different species and varieties. Carla is on the board of directors at HSI and will be hosting the International Convention in the near future. Not only are there beautiful heliconias but numerous ponds as well filled with water lilies. These first two shots were taken in their yard so you can see the beautiful surroundings here in Panama. I visited Carla's finca with the Boquette Garden Club of which I am a new member.

One of my favorite areas was a living "Wet Wall" filled with epiphytic plants~orchids etc. Water runs down the wall and it looks and sounds beautiful!

 What a beautiful place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee!

 











Not only are there beautiful heliconias but numerous ponds as well filled with all kinds of water lilies!

One of the many birds that find their way into the house!

We have lots of  hummingbirds here. Several have found their way into the house, sometimes needing assistance with getting out. This one stayed for just a few moments and then flew out the back sliding doors.

Two BIG Turkey Vultures in our backyard

Gees....If she'd only throw a piece of meat into that compost pile once in awhile :(

Bug of the day #3

Ah, today we have the greenest green of caterpillars.  Another with those nasty dangerous spikes.  It does however, possess an amazing hue of green.

This one is almost 3" long when streched out and has 6 legs up front followed by suction cup feet behind.   When he latches on he does not let go- a death grip!

Here is a close up of this Panamanian Caterpillar's front legs and head.   In real life, his head is almost fluorescent green.

here he is almost fully stretched out!










So another day gone by in the life of new bugs on Finca Ark landing, Panama.
Ciao for Now
Blake

Panama Bug of the day #2

Today's bug is interesting and a caterpillar too!   I almost grabbed this thorny guy when uncovering the furniture in our outdoor living room.  He is about 2 inches long and possesses some nasty spiny towers. 

 This Little-big guy has some very sharp spines.  When touched, those suction cup feet latch on and he writhes stabbing with those poisonous spikes!!

Here he is setting on a tan/pink colored surface.  note the color changes.

Again here hi is sitting on paper next to a nail file.  he again starts to change colors!!!









More exciting bugs to come I am sure.  T.I.P.  (This IS Panama)

ciao for now
Blake

First Raised garden bed.

Ok so Bamboo arrived and building has commenced.  here is the first in a series of bamboo structures for the gardens and green houses.

 This bed holds 22 brocolli plants and about 10 coliflower plants too!!  This is begin grown totally organically!

We will keep you all posted on progress of the organic gardening adventure. 
Ciao for now
Blake

Panama Bug of the day!

It seems each day lately brings some really new, interesting, colorful and dangerous bugs.  Especially caterpillars this past week. Maybe it is something to do with rainy season starting!  last week there was the mob of moving Gusanos- black caterpillars.  Gusano is worm, but the locals call caterpillars Gusanos.
This morning our gardener was trimming the palm trees and noticed these colorful delights-  they had destroyed almost an entire palm frond. 
Here is a look at the palm frond with the critters on there eating away!

Then here are some close ups of these insects.  Not sure what kind of butterfly or moth they end up being. The pinkish orange is its underside which is like a giant moving suction cup.  all those spines are sharp and poisonous.  When you touch it, it coils up and jabs them into you!







The yellow dots that look like eyes are actually just spots on its butt.



Just another day in Panama out in the garden!
More to come in the near future.



Ciao for Now.
Blake