Bug Music

Snowberry Clearwing

The Snowberry Clearwings
have found the Butterfly Bush.

These are medium sized moths,
about 1 1/2 inches wing tip to wing tip,
that mimic bumble bees.

It is always a joy when I see them!

There are other sphinx moths that come in the summer.

The Hummingbird Clearwing is twice as big as the Snowberry.
I am looking for them to arrive soon
now that the Butterfly Bush is in full bloom.
Moths are very good bugs!

Bird Watching

The Bee Balm is beginning to bloom.
The Hummingbirds like it!

The male Hummingbird has finally become comfortable.
He perches on the feeding station.



He chases the bees.



There are two Hummingbird feeders on the feeding station.

One for him and one for her!

I can watch the Hummingbirds all day.

They bring joy into my life!

Sunday Safari

We filled our water bottles
and went bug hunting.

On the wild chicory that grows near the roadway
a Tiger Swallowtail was nectaring.

A Zebra Swallowtail followed us as we hiked.

Colonies of Ebony Jewelwings
greeted us near the water ways.

An iridescent emerald beetle sunned on the path.
Bugs are beautiful!

Queen Ann's Lace

The Queen Ann's Lace is in full bloom.

It is my favorite wildflower.
It is a host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly.

Exotic America

Wall.E

I just came home from the theater.

I am smitten with WALL.E

If you get a chance take a special someone to see WALL.E

Watch film making at its finest. Share some popcorn.

David Wester does fantastic movie commentary.
Read his work here.

Holiday Weekend

Tonight is the beginning of a three day holiday weekend.
Many people will go to the lakes to be on boats and in the water.
May they travel safely; may they be full of care on this holiday weekend.

I will be home with the Hummingbirds

and the Tiger Swallowtails.



I have seen the Zebra Swallowtail twice!
No pictures yet.
The Paw-paw bushes are her host plant and they are leaved out!
Maybe this weekend I will get lucky.

Happy Fourth Of July

Cloudy day

Even when it is cloudy the butterflies come to feed.
The monarchs have been visiting the gardens.
I keep watching for when they find the milkweed.

The little Skippers are so cute.

The bees and wasps also come to feed when it is cloudy.

The Black Swallowtail laid more eggs in the parsley this morning.

Big storm last night, with some areas receiving 5 inches of rain!
My gardens were watered nicely with only 1.2 inches.
The clouds are a blessing today.

First Tomato of the season!

We picked our first tomato.

Eating is best straight from the garden!

July

July came in hot and humid.

Perfect zucchini weather.



I picked our first of the season.

Lots of butterflies.
The Red-spotted Purple likes the orange slices
I put out for the Orioles.

The Cardinals perched in the shade most of the day.

Sunday Safari

A cool breeze from the north played the strings of the
wind harp this morning.
I stood on the back sidewalk and watched the bees
in the coreopsis.

The Bumblebees,



the Leafcutters



and the Mason bees found pollen.

The Painted Ladies found nectar.

Coreopsis is a native perennial in my area.
My hedge is 30 feet long, 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall.
It blooms from the first of June through September,
with only one pruning in July for rebloom.
It is a continuous food source for the bees and the butterflies.
Very easy to propagate and grows best in full sun.

Garden check

Last night I stood outside and watched a storm come in from the north.
I gasped at the splendid light display. I went to sleep to the sounds of thunder,
wind and rain.




This morning I took a garden tour.
The morning glories greeted me first.
They are volunteers.
I gave them a twisting willow branch to twine on.
Mother's seeds, Mother's plants.

The zucchini is blooming.
I am checking daily for fruit.
We eat lots of fresh zucchini in the summer.
I freeze zucchini for winter baking.

The last of the poppies were swaying in the morning breeze.
I check the seed pods each day.
I dry the seed for poppy seed bread.

Full circle, back to the Morning Glories.
Yesterday I had planted the last of the saved zinnia seeds.
Mother Nature watered them in very nicely.
I like gardening with Nature.
I like her ways.
We both plant seeds.

Acoustic Brazil

Event

I watched the Black Swallowtail find the parsley.

She was ready to lay her eggs.

I have fennel too for hosting.

Day Lily Lesson

If I only had one day,
one day to greet the world,
one day to bloom, one day to be me,
what would I do?

Hopefully I would be the best I could be!

Teakettle...teakettle...teakettle

The little Carolina Wren has returned.

His call, "teakettle, teakettle, teakettle" tickles me!
I am smitten with this little Wren.

Laying eggs

Watching the female Dragonfly
lay her eggs gave me hope.

She is an ancient insect.

I see Dragonflies for August!

Checking the seeds

The male Gold Finch
checked the seeds in the Cone Flowers.

These are not ripe.

I never seem to ever be able to gather Cone Flower seed.
The Gold Finches get to them long before I do.

Dear Cindy,

I went to a party over the weekend. It was at your son's new home.
A beautiful new home out in the country, on twenty acres of woods.
A dream come true home.

It is a magical place.
So many butterflies and dragonflies I could not keep count.

Your son seems so happy.
Your grandson is adorable!

The years are slipping by.

Sometimes I am tired too.
Sometimes I long to sleep.
But Mockingbird wakes me with his song.

I open the blinds and set my intention for this day.
I breath in the longing for your voice.
The tomatoes are covered in rain drops.

November 16, 1950 ~ June 24, 2000

I miss you dear Sister.