At Home with Nature

It's always exciting to view nature at home.  We live in a neighborhood, not out in the countryside, though that would be lovely. 

 Over the 50 years we have lived here we have added every plant that occupies our property, except the large trees that have grown greatly in those many years.  One of the oak trees that is quite close to our home had to have a limb removed several years ago.  This year we noticed a hole developing in this tree that our children used to call "the man in the brown suit."  Our children used to play soccer in our backyard and "the man in the brown suit" deflected many passes on their attempts to make a goal nearby.

We decided to have our tree surgeon take a look at this hole as one of our trees had a similar hole and we had to have it removed.  The tree surgeon used a ladder and took a look at it closely.  He said we needn't worry as this hole was shallow and should close up over the years.  So we are happy that "the man in the brown suit" can stay here at least for a few more years.

We were happy to see the eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly.  I spotted this beauty on an early morning during the first part of May.  I don't think I've ever spied one in the garden that early.

This butterfly is Virginia's state insect.  The poor thing looks as if it has had a run in with maybe a bird as its wing is damaged.  It stayed quite a while enjoying the nectar of the columbine.  I've not seen another since then.

Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal always enjoy the offerings at the feeder.  The poor Mrs. feels the same as I, too much rain lately!  She looks similar to me after taking our walk yesterday believing the weather radar map to be true.

I was so surprised when I looked out the dining room door and saw a flock of birds flying to the holly tree.  This holly was full of red berries that these birds were after.  After getting a better look, I discovered that they were cedar waxwings.  It's been years since we've seen them here.  

These beautiful birds come in by the hundreds and eat every berry in sight!  

It was hard to get a photo as they work fast eating all the fruit they can.

They can survive on "fruit only" for a few months unlike other birds.  Unfortunately cedar waxwings can eat too much ripe fruit and become intoxicated and pass away.

When the wing is being formed and many berries are eaten the red pigment turns the tip orange!

I was also treated to see another beauty at our feeder for only a few moments.

This rose-breasted grosbeak is a new sighting for me!  My photos don't do him justice.

According to my Field Guide of Birds this one appears to be a male.

Though we didn't hear his voice, it rises and falls similar to a robin's song.  Some say it has more feeling as if a robin has taken voice lessons.

I often think of Gladys Taber's quote:

"As long as you have a window, life is exciting."

Thanks for taking a look outside our windows!

What a Summer

 

Summer used to be a favorite season of mine.  I guess it was a carryover of summer vacation from school.  Carefree days going barefoot and lazily enjoying endless days biking and roller skating with my sisters and friends.  Even after getting married and having children, I remember summer days were wonderful carefree days on our boat water skiing and looking forward to our annual week at the beach.  Did I care about the heat and humidity then?  I honestly don't remember that.  I did not grow up with central air conditioning.  We had a window unit that my Daddy would allow us to use on the most hot evenings in our upstairs bedroom.  Well, that was then and this is now.  I have a love hate relationship with summer in Virginia. 

 

  

I do love the pleasant days spent on the patio.  We have had the hottest, driest July that I can remember.  Only during early mornings could you find us enjoying time reading and gardening this year.

 

A baby cardinal was perplexed by his reflection and flew into the window incessantly.  Reading about this behavior revealed that he was demonstrating his need to defend his territory.  The poor fellow kept up this action for over a week!

As soon as the calendar page was turned to August we received rain.  Glorious rain from the heavens!  We have had over 9 inches of rain this month after having hardly a drop in July.  The mushrooms are popping up all over.

 The jasmine has been blooming and sending its wonderful fragrance onto the patio.

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly enjoys the white buddleia blossoms.  It is Virginia's state insect and is one of the largest butterflies.

The elusive Monarch showed up to our delight.

The Sphinx Moth enjoys nectar on the patio vinca. These little moths are wonderful to view as they go from blossom to blossom gathering nectar.

The Black Swallowtail shows erratic behavior that we haven't observed before.

 

A darling little Pearl Cresent butterfly visited the nearby azalea.  He is quite small, only 1 inch wide. 

Grayden came to my rescue one morning and helped me clean out the periwinkle and lily of the valley that was completely taking over this garden.  With all the rain we've had it made for easy digging, though the tough roots of the invaders made huge masses of roots.  

The Dragon's Head is just beginning to blossom.  It's nice to have plants growing that were given to me by a friend years ago. 

From my research this may be a Fiery Skipper if I'm not mistaken.  If you know please comment.

Yes it's been an unusual summer, but still much beauty to enjoy.  We still walk the trail every morning at the crack of dawn and otherwise stay home tending to our home and garden.  I'm thankful for diversions during this time in history.

August Changes

♫ A Thousand Years ♫

August has been a very hot and humid month in our corner of the world.  June and July were the wettest months in summer for all the years I can remember.  August is just the opposite.  We've had very little rain.  I'm so thankful as I write this, that it is raining now.  Not much is expected, but I'm happy for all we will receive.

In spite of all the heat and humidity and lack of rain there has been much to observe in the garden.  The butterflies have been flocking to the buddleia.  There is so much joy watching nature all around us.

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells us it's going to be a butterfly."  Fuller

Black Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

 Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Red Admiral Butterfly

Fritillary Butterfly

The flowers have grown so much this month.  As much as I don't like the oppressive heat, the flowers love it.  They do if I continue to give them supplemental water.  Pot bound plants now need more water than usual.

The patio impatiens, that were planted from seed, are now filling in nicely.

This little hummingbird comes to call on the geranium blooms.

We've watched this little fellow grow up this summer!

We've always been worried about our bunny and this fellow.  Nature can be quite harsh!

Red-shouldered Hawk

Our backyard bunny is now larger and hopefully will not be seen as dinner for this bad boy.  He was overlooking this bed of rudbeckia goldstrum.

Summer is slowly leaving us and another season will be coming soon.  The angle of the sun is quite different as it shines through our windows.  Samuel began school this week and  Alex and Miles will be starting another year of school after Labor Day.

The swings are waiting for another visit.  Meanwhile the spiders are taking up residence and Autumn is not far behind.