It has been great fun, this summer, to become more familiar with the habits of the birds and butterflies. Sometimes it feels like we are spending a fortune on birdseed, but what a great variety it brings to the yard.
In the last few weeks I have noticed how different a bird can look when the plumage is immature, or they are molting. The cardinals, in particular, have looking awfully shabby of late.
We have had a great profusion of butterflies, including sulfurs, whites, skippers, monarchs and swallowtails. Currently we have the 3rd brood of swallowtail caterpillars on the fennel plants.
Goldfinch enjoying a tomato plant. I had planned to pull these up, but I will leave them for the birds.
Buckeye butterfly
Young Eastern Bluebird
Monarch on milkweed. I have not seen any monarch caterpillars, but I am hopping this beauty is laying eggs.
In the last few weeks I have noticed how different a bird can look when the plumage is immature, or they are molting. The cardinals, in particular, have looking awfully shabby of late.
We have had a great profusion of butterflies, including sulfurs, whites, skippers, monarchs and swallowtails. Currently we have the 3rd brood of swallowtail caterpillars on the fennel plants.
Young Eastern BluebirdMonarch on milkweed. I have not seen any monarch caterpillars, but I am hopping this beauty is laying eggs.
