Thursday, September 27, 2012

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.


Saturday, September 22, 2012

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.





Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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.