My Yard ~ American Lady Caterpillars

Amazing numbers of American Lady caterpillars this year in my yard. This plant had 15 caterpillars out and feeding yesterday and more cats in the nests. The early caterpillars were probably taken as food for baby birds. I saw wrens hunting in the area. The plant has been id'd as purple cudweed, also called spoonleaf purple everlasting by a friend, Michael Pasquarello.

 

American Toad in My Garden

American Toad

 

Zabulon ~ First of Year

Zabulon ~ First of Year

 

Wolf's Hollow County Park - Butterflies & Birds

I decided to go over to Wolf's Hollow to see how the butterflies were coming along.  I was hoping for a fair number of species but only found 2 species - Peck's & Least.  I did see 8 species of birds but one species was about 20 Cedar Waxwings feeding on  Serviceberries.  So much fun to watch! I also spotted a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird by a Tulip Poplar.

Peck's

Peck's

Least

 

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

Longwood Gardens ~ Take 2

Longwood Gradens ~ Peonies

 

American Lady & Field Pusseytoes

Field Pussytoes

American Lady caterpillar Nest

American Lady caterpillar

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

I've been seeing hummingbirds every day on my salvia's.  It's fun to see them.