The Pollinators Native Bees and Wasps in the gardens of Flower Hill Farm 2014 Here is a collection of native bees and wasps I sighted in the gardens last year. Bees and wasps keep busy buzzing about blooming plants in the blueberry and wildflower fields, perennial beds, shrubberies, and trees that are their habitat. These important pollinators are sometimes forgotten when most conversations lead towards the endangered European honeybees. Carpenter bees and others are already being used to … [Read more...] about Native Bees and Wasps in the Gardens
Moths in the Gardens
Flower Hill Farm Families of Moths 2014 inside and in the gardens, starting with the most majestic moths. Saturniidae Luna Moths and Cecropia Moths have an easy life of sleeping all day and then waking at dusk to fly out into layers of dark in search of mates. Sphingidae I confess to being a bit uncertain when holding this strangely beautiful sphinx moth. Erebidae A broad-winged wasp moth hiding her metalic blue body with her gray black … [Read more...] about Moths in the Gardens
Butterflies in the Gardens
Flower Hill Farm Families of Butterflies from 2014 — There were many butterflies in the gardens of Flower Hill Farm in 2014 but there were varied species missing too. I missed each butterfly like a dear friend who moves away and will not be around to share the apple blossoms or champagne lunches. For now, I celebrate the butterflies that made it and were on wing within our gardens last season. The showy swallowtails always stir the currents with their large wings and are easily noted around … [Read more...] about Butterflies in the Gardens
Metamorphosis of Butterflies from 2014
The Metamorphosis of Butterflies from 2014 came together from my finally digging through archives of Flower Hill Farm photographs from last summer. Witnessing the metamorphosis of butterflies is a treasured ritual I share with thousands of other individuals who hold dear these remarkable beings. Raising butterflies nourishes my imagination and opens it to change and an ever present sense of wonder. Hour by hour and day by day convey countless small miracles to observe – bringing light and hope … [Read more...] about Metamorphosis of Butterflies from 2014
Beauties of the Night ~ Barred Owl
Barred Owls, Strix varia, may have been howling and hooting as year-round residents of this hillside in Western Massachusetts for more than 11,000 years. Fossils of their species, that many years old, have been uncovered in Florida, Tennessee and as far north as Ontario. These raptors of night are typically hidden in layers of darkness but do sometimes hunt during daytime hours. Looking out over the panoramic views of Flower Hill Farm Retreat, always stimulates the imagination. But last … [Read more...] about Beauties of the Night ~ Barred Owl
