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Redstarts In The Garden
July 31, 2026 A male American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). And a female American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). They’re only here for the breeding season, and some head south as early as August. Migrating to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. While they’re here, I often see them at the birdbath, just outside my…
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Variegated Fritillary On Maypop
July 30, 2026 The caterpillar of a Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta Claudia) eating the leaves of Maypop (Passiflora incarnate) which is a plant native to the southeastern United States. Variegated Fritillary butterflies are native to the southern United States, Central America, and South America. They have a wide variety of host plants, including violets and pansies,…
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Wild Black Cherries
July 29, 2026 Wild Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), a tree that provides food for a huge assortment of birds and mammals, both large and small. Native to a vast swath of North America, including the eastern and central United States, southeastern Canada, some parts of Mexico and down to Guatemala. If you’re feeling adventuresome, hold…
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Painted Lady On Apple Mint
July 28, 2026 A Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) eating the nectar of Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens). As an adult, the Painted Lady butterfly lives from 2 to 4 weeks. Favorite host plants for Painted Lady butterflies are thistles, hollyhocks, sunflowers, and mallows. This butterfly has the widest distribution of any butterfly globally. It lives in…
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Juvenile Eastern Towhee
July 26, 2026 I happened to capture an image of a juvenile Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) a couple weeks ago. It, along with Mom and Dad were enjoying the birdbath which brings in many birds that I wouldn’t see otherwise. This early stage of plumage is only kept for a few weeks after fledging. They…
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Many Of The Fledglings Are Here Now
July 24, 2026 Fledglings of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) are at the feeders these days, keeping me busy, mixing up sugar and water for their feeders. The formula is, 1/4 cup of white granulated sugar to each 1 cup of water. No telling whether females or males are out there battling each other. At this…
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Many Gray-headed Coneflowers
July 23, 2026 The Gray-headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) showing off its natural tendency to grow tall and bend one way or the other, usually all in the same direction. A lovely brilliant yellow to cheer the world. The flower heads are made up of as many as 15 ray florets growing to 2 1/4 inches…
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Virginia Creeper Sphinx Moth
July 22, 2026 With a wingspan of 2 to 3 inches, this is a Virginia Creeper Sphinx moth (Darapsa myron). It’s found from Maine, south to southern Florida; west to North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas. Their caterpillars have a large, creepy look about them, but they are non-venomous and safe to handle if…