My Yard ~ Dragonfly

Lots and lots of dragonflies in the yard catching insects including this one ~possibly a Great  Blue Skimmer Dragonfly.

CA ~ Afternoons at Desert Willow

Greater Roadrunner

Some images taken on today's walk around the grounds.

Verdin

Corolla, NC ~ Currituck Lighthouse & Heritage Park

There are 3 lighthouses on the island so today's trip was to the one nearest to where we are staying.  The Currituck Lighthouse is built of brick and opened in 1875.  There wasn't time to climb the lighthouse because we also wanted to explore the grounds of the Heritage Park.  We walked out one of the trails to the Currituck Sound.  Along the trail we saw Eastern Kingbirds, Gray Catbirds, Marsh Wrens plus lots of different dragonflies.  Once out at the Sound we saw Least and Spotted Sandpipers feeding at the muddy edge of the water.  Flying across the water were several Bank Swallows catching some insects.

Barn Swallow

Spotted Sandpiper

Eastern Pond Hawk Dragonfly

Common Blue Damselfly

Nature in Glenolden

Today was a workday at my house in Glenolden for my sister, Jenny and I.  Over the past few years the yard has gotten away from us and we need to wrestle control back.  We had hoped her son would be able to help but he was called into work.  While cutting back the azaleas Jenny found a dragonfly drying his wings.  Then we saw about 7 Tufted Titmice chasing each other around the treetops.  They were fun to watch.

Tufted Titmouse

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