Fort Morgan, Alabama

While on vacation to Orange Beach, Alabama, I realized that two forts were very close to where we were staying for the duration of our visit. The two forts on either side of the entrance to Mobile Bay were built to protect the area. One is Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island that I have already written about. On the other side of the bay, at Mobile point, is Fort Morgan.

Fort Morgan was built earlier than Fort Gaines and work on it began after the Battle of Fort Bowyer in 1812. Fort Bowyer was a little earth and wood fort. It was decided to build an earth and brick redoubt on the same site, and a series of engineers and contractors completed the work by 1834. The name was changed to Fort Morgan, to honor revolutionary war hero Daniel Morgan. You can read more about the history of the fort here and here.

I like visiting historic sites to learn more about what the area went through over time and to explore architectural details. The star shaped fort is an interesting place to visit.

A small museum greets visitors as you get to the site.

One can see cannons at the entrance of the fort. This one overlooks the bay on one end.

On the other side of the entrance, two cannons are displayed.

The entrance to the fort. 

A closeup of the brick structure that makes the entrance to the fort.

Once inside, lush green meadows cover the ground before getting to the stone archway that bears the name of the fort.

The stone archway bearing the name of the fort leads to the courtyard inside. 

Walking towards the courtyard, on the side are these series of red brick arches.

From the courtyard, at the corners, a little doorway leads to the interiors, and it is flanked on either side by stairs that lead to an upper level. This design is seen on other corners of the facade facing the courtyard.

Climbing up to the upper level, you get a better sense of the design of the fort, and several arches along the inner facade of the fortification are seen.

These curved steps on the upper level were very interesting. 

Another view of the courtyard from the curved steps. I would like to know what these were meant for.

Another view from above, this time looking outside at the outer perimeter of the fort, again lined by arches.

Back on the lower level of the fort, in the interior section that is around the courtyard, are these arches that seem to go on forever. There is a lot of erosion from the sand and calcium deposits cover the bricks. There is dampness in the walls all over on the inside.

At the end of a wall where it forms a corner, a small window looking outside.

A small window showcasing a wall of the fort. Several small openings in the lower part of the wall add to the interesting architectural detail.

A view of part of the interior. It is amazing how these brick lined arches form this intriguing structure with different dimensions.

Another view of the arches. One can sense the dampness on the walls and on the mossy brick floor.

Efforts have been on to stabilize the historic structure, but the location is prone to storms and hurricanes. This sign inside the fort explains some of the work that is being done for the cause.

Tomatoes- Roma and Cherry

In March, I planted Roma tomato seeds from a packet of Patriot Seeds that my neighbor had given me. The germination rate is really great on these seeds and all of them formed little plants in about two weeks.

They were growing in raised beds that had potting soil mixed with compost and garden soil. This was the first time I was growing tomatoes from seed.

By mid-April, the plants were about 10 inches tall. I planted some Marigold plants near the tomatoes as companion plants. It is believed that Marigolds are excellent companion plants and keep away pests and attract pollinators.

When the plants were over a foot in height, some stakes were added for extra support.

At around the same time, I got a cherry tomato seedling from Whole Foods and planted it in another bed. That was growing nicely too. By the first of May, it had several fruit growing already. 

By the end of May, Roma tomatoes were also growing well. At about this time, we got a lot of rain, and it slowed things down a little bit.

All through June, tomatoes were harvested in good numbers. The cherry tomatoes would disappear as soon as they were picked, they make a great snack. This was the harvest on June 9. Green onions, green beans, and chilly peppers (Serrano) with cherry tomatoes.

Cucumbers joined the crowd on June 14, along with some Thai Basil leaves.

More tomatoes- both Roma and cherry on June 20, with a cucumber.

Color coded! Green tomatoes are such a delight in some dishes.

July 2 harvest... after this, the plants started getting affected by the heat. Texas summers can be brutal on plants.

While we were enjoying the bounty from the garden, occasionally, we would find other critters were having their share too! This one scooped off right on the plant!

This ripe one was found half eaten on the ground. It was a good harvest. I will try out other kinds of tomatoes in the fall and next spring.

Squirrel Antics

Squirrels are regular visitors to our yard. However, when we had just moved in and the yard did not have established trees and plants, they were rarely or never seen.

Within a few years of moving, we had a few trees growing nicely and birds, bees, and other animals often frequented. A palm in the corner of the yard grew much faster than we had expected it to, and soon, it had dead leaves that needed to be removed. One day, my husband thought he saw a squirrel go into the the dead leaves. Dried bases of leaves that we had already cut had formed a nice pattern on the tree trunk, and the squirrel had used them to climb up.

My husband was curious so he stood under the palm for a couple of minutes and looked up to see if he could see where the squirrel went. He saw nothing, so he went about with his business to see what kind of spring cleaning was needed around the yard.

Unknown to us, the squirrel was quite rattled by his curiousness. It peeped out of the 'window' of their home in the palms, and took stock of the situation. You can see part of the nest among the dead leaves.

It then decided to climb down. We realized the dead bases of leaves were the stairway to their home.

It climbed down the palm tree and that's when I saw that it had thrown down part of the coir like material from the palm that it had used to build the nest. The nest lay there in the flower bed.

The squirrel climbed all the way down, inspected the nest, and decided to carry it back up. I had still not realized that this was only part of the drama that was playing out. The nest went back up.

We realized now that the action had shifted to the roof of a tool shed in the adjacent yard. We had missed seeing that a little baby squirrel was on that roof! I had to use the zoom lens to take these pictures.

The mother squirrel used a fore limb to support the little one so she could carry it. The eyes of the baby squirrel were barely open.

As the mother made sure the baby was secure, we watched in disbelief!

It then decided it was time to go back home.

Hopping back on to the 'stairs', the duo went right back into their nest among the dead leaves. 

We still haven't figured out what exactly happened that day. Was it a kind of tantrum? Was it spring cleaning? The baby was obviously not old enough to climb down on its own. Why did the mother engage in all that drama!

Everything is fine after that day. We have had several generations of squirrels raised in that 'home' in the palm. Sometimes, there are three or four young ones prancing all over the yard at full speed, up and down whatever comes in their path. It is fun to watch them. I put out apples or other fruit for the birds and others, and they have their share and go about their business. 

Bees etc.

After seeing a lot of 'action' in my yard this morning, I decided to write about the 'wildlife' I find here. I am not including birds, which have already featured in a few posts eariler. This one is about insects and reptiles, and a mammal.

This morning as I was scanning the bean plant for beans to pluck, I noticed a bumble bee and then realized there were two of them. In the image below, you can see a flower, two young bean pods, and the pollinating agent.

I was glad to see them visiting my yard and helping out. The bright yellow pollen sacs on the hind legs of the bumble bee meant it had found enough food and would likely visit again. I do not use chemicals in the yard and that was a plus.
The bee population is dwindling because so many bees ingest insecticides, pesticides, and other additives used in landscaping and gardening/farming. The effects are many- death by poisoning, or the bees becoming disoriented. They cannot find the way back to their hive and the hive dies a result. Imagine a garden without insects. So many plants depend solely on insects to pollinate flowers. I am so glad awareness is spreading among gardeners to do the right thing.

A honey bee feeds on Thai Basil flowers. The bees seem to love Basil! Please click on the picture to enlarge it. The pollen sac is seen on the hind leg. It isn't very full, but it is amazing to see how they store the pollen.

Another bee on Thai Basil.

A White-tipped Black Moth, which is found in Florida and Texas, was also paying a visit to the Thai Basil flowers, which seem to be very popular!

This interesting looking guest was taking respite from the summer heat on the Fava Bean vine. Such an elaborate design on a grasshopper! Helps it blend well.

A wasp sits on a bean flower.

I have found a good number of Green Anoles in the yard. This one was among the leaves of the bean plant. I have seen them on White Ginger Lilies as well as several other trees and bushes.

Show off! Or most likely guarding his territory by displaying the bright orange dewlap. They also display the dewlap to attract female Anoles. 

Another Green Anole trying to mark his territory. They clench the hyoid bone in the lower jaw to extend the dewlap.  Their skin has a rough texture but it is beautiful and the details can be seen when the dewlap is puffed. 

Brown Anoles also reside among the greens in the yard. This young one was using a White Ginger Lily leaf as a hammock to relax.

Brown Anoles also extend their dewlaps. However, I have yet to see one display it. 

Dragon and damsel flies of various colors are regular visitors. They love to play when I am out with the hose watering plants in planters. 

I had once made a collage of the different colored ones that I found in the yard.

The one below is a Common whitetail. I like to call it the tiger, for obvious reasons.

Finally, here is the prowler who helps itself to all the goodies in the yard.