After all the hurricane rain our yard suddenly bloomed in large swaths of fiery oranges (tithonia, zinnias) and sunshiny yellows (perennial sunflowers, Mexican tarragon). A handful of pale purple native asters tower among the tangled vines of American passionflower, making a natural home for an array of native bees. Hoverflies, mason bees, carpenters, bumbles, and honeybees are all taking advantage of the pollen party, filling up before the weather gets too cold for most flowers.