Last September, a fellow Lepidoptera enthusiast, Tor, had given me a remarkable gift. Several twigs with Cecropia Moth cocoons attached. When I placed the leaf coated, brown silky cocoons all together in a pewter pitcher, I had a uniquely created cocoon bouquet. Most bouquets quietly die over days or weeks but not this one. Set in a cool, dry, and dark front hall, the Cecropia cocoon bouquet quietly stayed alive . . . in wait for spring along with the humans that shared the old farmhouse. It … [Read more...] about Beauties of the Night ~ Cecropia Moth
Beauties of the Night ~ Luna Moth
There is beauty hidden within darkness. Beauties of the night are curious creatures and none more than the stunning Luna Moth. We humans are creatures of habitual repetition and it is a reliable assumption that by nightfall most people are indoors with lights on and doors closed to the outside world. When we accidentally or purposefully leave our outside lights on, it is somewhat like fly fishing with the bright light being the lure. Many beauties of the night will be drawn to the light … [Read more...] about Beauties of the Night ~ Luna Moth
White-tailed Deer ~ Doe and Fawn
The gardens at Flower Hill Farm Retreat hold much more than just plants, shrubs and trees. Every day when I walk out into the gardens I never know what surprises await me. On June 4th I was walking down into the south field to check the Tree Swallow house when I heard a familiar yet strange sound. Looking towards the now overgrown rock garden area I saw a tiny fawn trying to stand. In a matter of minutes the little White-tailed Deer fawn was stepping out of the protection of the overgrowth … [Read more...] about White-tailed Deer ~ Doe and Fawn
A New Website For Flower Hill Farm Retreat
Flower Hill Farm Retreat has a new website and and a new blog. Warblers and other songbirds continue to return to our gardens, fields and forest and some of the females are still busy building their nests just as we are nearly finished building this site. It is live now but still missing a few important details that will be installed very soon. This female warbler or vireo has me stumped — is she a Yellow-throated Vireo or a female Magnolia Warbler? The broken eye-ring and the larger beak … [Read more...] about A New Website For Flower Hill Farm Retreat
Spring’s Resolve Bluebirds and Tree Swallows
Property disputes between bluebirds and tree swallows, and tree swallows and tree swallows seem to be resolved by now and life is very busy with serious nesting preparations here at Flower Hill Farm. Today I took my first butterfly photo of 2014 — caught a whisper of light in a Cabbage White while she rested between sips of daffodil nectar. I invite you to scroll through to see the animated birds and a honeybee too. Migratory songbirds … [Read more...] about Spring’s Resolve Bluebirds and Tree Swallows
