Beth's Patch ~ Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

I love that the end of August, all of September and into October, we have Ruby-throated Hummingbirds buzzing around the yard.  We see anywhere from 3 to 6 of them daily. Sometimes, they will sit quietly together but most of the time they are chasing each other around the yard and no one gets to necter on the flowers or at the feeders.

Beth's Patch ~ Horace's Duskywing

 Horace's Duskywing has been a rare butterfly here in the yard this year but for the past 3 days there has been two here - both male and female.  Their host plant is various types of red and white oaks.

Beth's Patch ~ Butterflies on Autumn Joy Sedum

Monarch Butterflies

Aaron's Skipper

American Lady Butterfly

Common Buckeye Butterflies

Common Buckeye Butterflies

Gray Hairstreak Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly

Sachem Skippers

Silver-spotted Skipper and Sachem Skipper 

Beth's Patch ~ Monarch Caterpillars

This is the season for tons of Monarch caterpillars in the yard.  This batch of caterpillars will migrate to Mexico to overwinter until early next spring when the start the return trip.  Counted almost 2 dozen yesterday and my milkweed is getting to be in short supply.

Beth's Patch ~ Recent Birds

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Downy Woodpecker

Trail's Flycatcher

House Wren

 

Beth Patch ~ Goldenrod Soldier Beetles

 Do you have Goldenrod Soldier beetles ( also called PA leatherwing) in your gardens? I have tons. They can be of benefit or a predator in your gardens arriving in August and September about the time goldenrod is blooming and your gardens are full of nectar

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Beth's Patch ~ Butterflies

 Recently we've had the first of the year Ocola Skipper in our yard along with the return of the Pearl Crescent butterfly which hadn't been seen for over 2 months.  Also a mint fresh Spicebush Swallowtail has stopped by.

Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly

Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly

 

Ocola Skipper

Ocola Skipper

Pearl Crescent butterfly

Beth's Patch ~ September's Garden Wows

 

Beth's Patch ~ Snowberry Clearwing Moths

 

Beth's Patch ~ Skulker's in the Yard

Several days ago, I noticed that the Common Yellowthroat Warblers were back.  They arrive each Fall during their migration and feast on the moths, caterpillars and some other insects including butterflies in my yard.  When they arrived here last week, there were possibly 2-3 of them but yesterday perhaps 6 more Common Yellowthroat Warbler's have joined them.  They were busy hunting all day long and have just about eaten every caterpillar in the yard.  They also ate many of the several hundred looper moths that were over running the gardens.   Today, there are many less of the moths but still lots of butterflies.

Common Looper Moth

Skulking Common Yellowthroat Warbler

Another moth in the garden