Backyard Bliss, Even in the Drought

June brought us hardly any rain, yet our Florida backyard continues to thrive. Even during the drought, nature has found a way to flourish. Every day brings the cheerful songs of birds, the graceful flutter of butterflies, and the sweet reward of homegrown treasures.

Zebra Longwing and Monarch butterflies dancing around. 🦋

Zebra Longwing butterflies love this firebush plant

bleeding heart

Bluejay and rabbit

My aunts' four mango trees are absolutely loaded with fruit this year. My own mango tree, on the other hand, had a much smaller harvest, producing just ten mangoes. The tree is the Thai variety Nam Doc Mai, prized for its rich sweetness, smooth texture, and thin pit. Something—most likely squirrels—helped themselves to two of them (sigh!), but we were able to enjoy the remaining eight, and they were incredibly sweet. Moments like these are a reminder that even during a Florida drought, nature still offers delightful surprises.

cherries and strawberries are store bought

The two mangoes on the left are from my tree

Our mango tree has a story of its own. About ten years ago, when we bought our house, my aunt gave us a young mango plant she had started from a pit. It was only about three feet tall at the time, but with a little patience, it has grown into a beautiful tree.

For much of those ten years, we were living aboard our boat, so we rarely had the opportunity to enjoy its harvest. Now that the boat has been sold and we're happily back on terra firma, we finally get to savor the fruits of that little seedling.

The mango tree in 2016

Blue skies after the rain—a happy mango tree (2026).

Not many mangoes this year, but every one is a treat.

While we're looking forward to the return of Florida's refreshing summer rains, I'm grateful for the life that continues to fill our backyard. Even in the stifling heat and dry conditions, there's still so much to appreciate—from colorful birds and butterflies to the simple pleasure of picking a perfectly ripe mango straight from the tree.

Just thinking about those sweet, juicy mangoes is making my mouth water!

How's your summer harvest coming along? I'd love to hear what you're growing this season, Stay cool and enjoy the rest of your summer!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday.

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