Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Backyard birds

Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren

Eastern Kingbird

Saturday, July 27, 2013

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.



Friday, July 26, 2013

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

Sunday, July 21, 2013

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


Saturday, July 20, 2013

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




Saturday, July 13, 2013

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