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
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Little Wood Satyr, Common Ringlet and Common Wood Nymph
The more I learn about butterflies, the more I understand just how enchanted our gardens and nature, in general, truly is. With satyrs and wood nymphs all about the grassy meadows and fields who could ever dream of using poisons? We share our gardens and land with a complex and varied living community and we can attract these magical creatures into our lives by learning about their needs and pleasures. By planting the necessary host plants or being sure not to yank them out of our gardens in … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Little Wood Satyr, Common Ringlet and Common Wood Nymph
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Little Wood Satyr, Common Ringlet and Common Wood Nymph
The more I learn about butterflies, the more I understand just how enchanted our gardens and nature, in general, truly is. With satyrs and wood nymphs all about the grassy meadows and fields who could ever dream of using poisons? We share our gardens and land with a complex and varied living community and we can attract these magical creatures into our lives by learning about their needs and pleasures. By planting the necessary host plants or being sure not to yank them out of our gardens … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Little Wood Satyr, Common Ringlet and Common Wood Nymph
Birds in Review Part XXXIV ‘A Bird Parade’ Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco
Did you know that Juncos are actually Sparrows? I confess I did not or I should have included them in my Sparrow post. Here in the northeast we have the Slate-colored Junco (J. hyemalis hyemalis) or Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco. We all see these tidy grey and white birds flitting about on the ground in our gardens. Out west you will notice different coloration in the Juncos. Juncos spend the late fall, winter and early spring all throughout the United States and mostly fly up to Canada to … [Read more...] about Birds in Review Part XXXIV ‘A Bird Parade’ Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco
Birds in Review Part XXXIII ‘A Bird Parade’ Indigo Bunting
Our bird parade continues on with songbirds and the Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) is one of the most beautiful of songbirds. Indigo Buntings harvest seeds and insects from the gardens and abandoned fields. They prefer a habitat with less inhabitants, but somehow do not mind my company now and then. Indigo Buntings can be seen foraging for food along the ground, as well as high in the trees and shrubs. The male Indigo Bunting will often choose the same few … [Read more...] about Birds in Review Part XXXIII ‘A Bird Parade’ Indigo Bunting
