Wordless Wednesday - Backyard birds

Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren

Eastern Kingbird

Hummingbirds in the garden

The past 2 weeks has seen the start of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in my yard.  I had one hummer go though during spring migration but he didn't stay.  Eventually my goal is to have them stay here all season as my gardens mature.  I am planning a brush pile with native honeysuckle on top that hopefully will attract them.  I have Canna's, Cardinal flowers, some Cypress vine which they loved last year, Mexican Sunflower, Zinnas and lots more the use for nectar.

Momma's feeding babies in my yard

Carolina Wrens

It's been fun watching the Mother birds feeding their chicks over the past few days.  The Carolina Wren seems to have 4-5 babies and the Eastern Kingbird I have seen just 2 babies with it.  Here are some pictures though not the greatest I have ever taken.

Eastern Kingbird

Wordless Wednesday - Broad-winged Skippers - Goshen CMBO

Broad-winged Skippers

More butterflies arriving in my gardens

Eastern-tailed Blue Butterfly

And the butterflies are starting to arrive....

Monarch Butterfly

Spicebush Swallowtail on Butterfly Bush

Spicebush Swallowtail on Butterfly Bush

My gardens -- Butterflies are starting...

This year we have many dragonflies in the yard but few butterflies.  We put out rotted fruit faithfully trying to attract butterflies that nectar on fruit.  It's a barren year with no takers on the fruit except for the Gray Catbirds who love it.  The gardens are doing wonderful due to all of the rain we've had this year. Two of my lantana plants out in front garden has come back for the past 3 years and is just amazing.  In addition we planted a good number of of Dallas Red Lantana that is so vibrant.  There are several great colors of Cosmos and Silvia that should help bring in butterflies.  Here are some the butterflies from today.

Common Buckeye on Dallas Red Lantana

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on  Tall Verbena

Silver-spotted Skipper on Tall Verbena

Summer Azure on Tall Verbena

Sachem on Yellow Blanket Flower

Wordless Wednesday - Great Egret

 

 

Nature at Cape May Point State Park

Common Wood-Nymph

My friends are down this weekend and since we couldn't really go kayaking we decided that we'd take a walk around the state park. Butterflies have been sparse on the home front so I was hoping to see some while on our walk.  I saw lots of Common Wood-Nymph, Cabbage White,  some Clouded Sulphurs and a Little Wood-Satyr. The dragonflies and damselflies were everywhere in large numbers as it really is their year.  There were also turtles and frogs sunning themselves along the paths.

Little Wood-Satyr

Cabbage White

Clouded Sulphur

Halloween Pennant

Mating Halloween Pennants

Eastern Painted Turtle

Wordless Wednesday - Eight Spotted Forester Moth - My yard