On the leaves, looks like Whitefly larvae. On the soil looks like harmless slime mold, a fungus that will grow on rotting mulch or very high organic soil under the right conditions. I am not sure as the Pics. are small and my computer is old. Look these two up on the net and see if either match.

Doesn't match photos on web of Dicksonia antarctica (Kangaroo Fern). Will bother me until I do find out what kind it really is. Somewhat similar to holly fern, but seems glossier. You made me realize my Peterson Guide to Ferns is missing. It would have, at least, given me some clues, although I am pretty sure your plant is tropical.

Thanks everyone, We are so delighted to see so many fledglings up close everyday now. Here are just few more taken in recent days. This little one sits atop the nestbox (which contains 5 more eggs in Missy's 3rd nest), and calls to Mom who's perched on the spooker: This one is on the deck rail waiting for a spot to open up at the mealworm bowl: And for those of you who liked the "mad bluebird" shot, here's another wet fledgling up close: We're about 5 days away from the hatching of clutch #3, but we're still seeing all 8 of the fledges from the first two nests. oh joy, Kenn :)

Well it was people that didn't really know any better, but i wanted to be sure since i am doing a presentation on it. How embarrassing would it be to do a presentation on it, and it turns out to be wrong.But wow thanks a lot i really appreciate it. The class is called biology for naturalists, and i really enjoy it. The area i live in is on the St. Lawrence River but specifically in a huge wetland area in Akwesasne, an Indian reservation that straddles the U.S. Canadian border, so i am sure to have many more pictures of better quality to show soon. Again thanks.