MOTHERLY SQUIRREL LOVE

We have this huge old oak tree which split 11 years ago, in fact on 9/11 and it has offered a home and comfort from storms to so many creatures.  This time it's a squirrel family - how can you not love these furry creatures!!  On the branch below the "big hole" is a mother and her two babies.  

I know this is squirrel love overkill, but be thankful I did not post all 55 photos I took.  She fed them, they played, she loved them, they snuggled up to her, scratched her head and ears.  Oh the sweetest family affection.  

feed me, feed me.....

time to feed my little ones........

Sibling love.....

Lie down, let me scratch your ears Mom!

You are such a sweet mom, let me kiss your forehead.

and now it's playtime.......

Oh how I love my creature tree.  Long may she stand tall.

THREE LITTLE BUTTERFLIES

THE BIGGEST OF THE THREE, KNOWN AS A MEDIUM SIZE BUTTERFLY, THE PAINTED LADY IS EXQUISITE SHADES OF ORANGE, APRICOT, YELLOW, BLACK WITH WHITE AND LAVENDER SPOTS.  THESE ARE PROBABLY HALF THE SIZE OF A SWALLOWTAIL, TO GIVE PERSPECTIVE.

PAINTED LADY CLOSED WINGS

A SMALL BUTTERFLY, THE PEARL CRESCENT IS ACTIVE AND BRIGHTLY SPOTTED, DEEP BURNT ORANGE, BROWN AND BLACK WITH A SLIGHT BLUISH TINT TO THE THORAX, DEPENDING ON THE ANGLE OF THE LIGHT.

PEARL CRESCENT WITH CLOSED WINGS

AND THE TINIEST OF ALL, THE SIZE OF MY THUMBNAIL, THE SUMMER AZURE HAS A GREY/BLUE SHEEN IN THE SUN, IT WOULD NOT OPEN IT'S WINGS, BUT THERE WERE A FEW OF THEM FLITTERING AROUND ON AND OFF THE SEDUM PLANTS.

FLORA & FAUNA IN MY GARDEN THIS SUMMER

HAKONECHLOA - JAPANESE FOREST GRASS - GREAT TO BRIGHTEN UP A SHADY AREA

PERENNIAL HIBISCUS

BAMBI BEING AN ANGEL AND MUNCHING ON WEEDS

GORGEOUS DAY LILY

I GET SO MANY WIERD AND WONDERFUL MUSHROOMS AND FUNGI POPPING UP ALL OVER MY GARDEN

THESE HUGE BEETLES DEVOUR TREE STUMPS

MORE OF THE JAPANESE FOREST GRASS

I ADORE THESE LITTLE SQUIRRELS

CLIMBING ROSE, BLOOMING CHIVES

TERRESTRIAL ORCHID

THIS BLACK SNAKE HAD JUST BEEN INTO THE TITMOUSE BIRDHOUSE AND EATEN THE BABIES, I WAS SO DEVASTATED, BUT OH WELL, THAT'S NATURE AND A BOY'S GOTTA EAT.  

EVENING PRIMROSE BLOOMS

I SEE YOU

LAVENDER

HOW BEAUTIFUL IS A BLUE JAY

CHIVE BLOOMS - THEY CAN BE BROKEN UP INTO SALADS TO ADD COLOR AND FLAVOR

SALVIA

SPECTACULARLY VIVIDLY BLUE LOBELIA

PINK LINARIA

A GROSBEAK & MALE CARDINAL SHARE THE FEEDER

VARIEGATED SAGE - HERB 

LAVENDER

GROSBEAK

I TOLD YOU - FUNGUS AND MUSHROOMS POP UP IN THE STRANGEST PLACES, IN THE STRANGEST FORMS

BUTTERCUP WITH A LITTLE WASPY VISITOR

WHITE BLEEDING HEART

YOU GOT NUTS??

HYDRANGEAS COMING IN TO BLOOM IN EARLY SPRING

EARLY PALE BLUE HYDRANGEA BLOOM

DOE A DEER, HIDING BEHING THE RASPBERRY BUSHES

GORGEOUS COLOR OF JAPANESE FOREST GRASS BACKDROP WITH LOBELIE AND JAPANESE PAINTED FERN

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL BLUE JAY

DOWN THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, EARLY SPRING HYDRANGEAS, STILL PALE BLUE - MOST WERE SLIPPED FROM A CUTTING STUCK INTO THE GROUND, ONE BUD BELOW SOIL LEVEL, ONE ABOVE.  I FORGET ABOUT THEM FOR A SEASON OR TWO AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER HYDRANGEA BUSH

MOM CARDINAL FEEDS THE BABY WHILE DAD MUNCHES ON SUNFLOWER SEEDS

HYDRANGEAS ARE MY FAVORITES - WELL ONE OF THEM

COOL SPOT TO RELAX ON A HOT SUMMER'S DAY.