During the growing season it is very rare for me not to have my camera at hand. Things have a way of catching my eye at a particular moment, and with a little luck I can capture it for all eternity. Vinca Minor is kinda nondescript from afar, but up close, wow! Tiger Swallowtail digging on the Rose o Sharon. Katydid Hunter doing what they do best. They have been living in my driveway basin for the better part of six years now. American Goldfinches are quite abundant all year long here. One garden site I frequent, the poster was complaining what a pain it is to keep deadheading coreopsis all summer long. My gameplan is the opposite, so the critters get their needed nourishment. I've been living here over sixteen years, and this is the first American Redstart I have ever seen. Guess I'm doing something right! Another cutie on my 'Tithonia' Mexican Sunflower. All types of bees love this plant also. This is one plant, that was a volunteer. It looks out of place, but let it grow for more seeds for next year. I could go on, but rather than overstaying my welcome, one last photo for it's cuteness. Happy gardening everyone!
You have such a friendly garden! Great photos of butterflies and birds, and even the thirsty squirrel. We have tithonia here also, and it is a bee/butterfly magnet!
Beautiful photos Llcenter. If this is a taste of what's to come then bring it on! I really like your adventurous squirrel.
Thanks everyone, since starting my critter gardens It has really opened my eyes to what Mother nature has to offer. Talk about a natural high! Here is some of my front bed. Joe Pye weed (Big Nate) Mariachi Hot Lava Helenium. This little old lady is Tanya. She turned 17 in June, and loves being outside with me. Heatwave Blaze Salvia. Close up the flowers look like young girls all decked out for church. Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata (Cinderella) A little of this and that.
I'm so enjoying seeing all your photographs especially the one with little Tanya. Your garden is a real haven for wildlife and looks great into the bargain.
Thank you so much Eileen. It really keeps me feeling young like a small child first seeing all the natural wonders our dear Mother Nature provides. Tanya is my diamond in the ruff what a sweetheart she is. Mostly blind and deaf now, but she'll never tell you that.
Oh I love it even more. Everything really does look healthy and happy. I will be adding Mexican Sunflower next year...Thanks
WOW....what a beautiful place you have and I love that Mexican sunflower. I will have to do some reading on it. Tanya...bless her little heart for being outdoors with you. I have a 13 year old yellow lab that is sleeping quite a bit of the time. Her best time is morning so we try and get her out as much as weather permits. Your flowers and large trees make such beautiful pictures, you can tell you love the outdoors and color in the garden...
Thank you Sherry! When the warmer weather begins in early spring, I'm like a new puppy wanting to get outside to play. I do have a full time job, but when not at work I'm outside soaking it all in. I have a small niche behind my garage that I call serenity corner. If any of my neighbors are looking for me, they know exactly where I'll be. Not one will knock on my door if the weather is nice. That area is roughly 30' x 12', and I'll bet I've taken well over eight hundred pics. back there. A few for your pleasure. Hummingbird magnet. Redcardinal vine. Cuphea Ignea. Another hummer magnet. I can sit and watch Dragon flies all day long. On any given year I see at least three Baldfaced hornets nest. This year only one was found. We had one halfway decent rain all summer long. Two days after, this beautiful fungus showed itself. A few have mentioned an interest in tithonia (Mexican sunflower) If you can't find any seeds locally, give me a holler. I should have enough to go around after they have dried a little more. Looking at the size of that plant, you just won't believe how small the seeds actually are. I'm still amazed by it even tho this is my third year growing them.
