I caught the action today as mom and dad Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus) were occupied feeding the little ones. Going out and coming back with butterfly and moth larvae, insects, snails, spiders, berries and seeds.
Carrying a medium sized spider, going in for the nestlings.
And now, off in search of more.
________________________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
A Black Bear (Ursus americanus) meandered to the cabin today, after an absence of any bears for a bit more than a year. And before that there had not been a bear here for three years. Not a one.
This absence was caused by a serious outbreak of sarcoptic mange. Seems slowly the bears around here are making a recovery. Finally.
________________________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
On the front porch, in a small, faded red, star shaped bird house, nestlings wait for mom and dad to return with some dinner. Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus).
The eggs of Carolina Wrens usually hatch after 12 to 16 days of incubation. The female incubates the eggs and the male will feed her. Once the eggs hatch both parents go in search of food for their little ones. On the menu will be yummies such as snails, spiders, caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets.
Approximately 12 to 14 days after hatching the little ones will fledge. For a few weeks after fledging mom and dad will still feed them.
Once they fledge I’m going to be watching for the family, as mom and dad care for their kids.
________________________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus), or simply, a Bunny. They are quite common to see right now, big ones, little ones. They love to eat clover but many other things as well.
If you have a favorite plant with lots of weeds around it, you might consider leaving the weeds. Removing the weeds calls the Bunny’s attention to your favorite plant and it will promptly chomp it down.
This picture shows how tiny the Bunnies can be here (using Granddaughter’s hand for scale).
Fragrant plants such as Marigolds and aromatic herbs are things that they seem to shy away from. Also, in your vegetable garden, wire cages are helpful to keep them away from particularly yummy plants.
Using these simple techniques makes having these critters, the large ones, and the many small ones, pure please.
________________________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
Flowers that seem to have been designed specifically for hummingbirds. Utah Penstemon (Penstemon utahensis). A beautiful and very determined plant that I’ve seen on many trips to the Southwest. These flowers were found at Zion National Park, Utah.
Utah Penstemon can be found in southern Utah, northern Arizona, and southern Nevada, and small neighboring areas of California and Colorado.
There are so many things to be found out there in the world of nature. No matter where you are, there are things to be found, things to amaze.
________________________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
Mournful Thyris (Pseudothyris sepulchralis), a moth that is active during the day. They are about 5/16 inch in length and have a wingspan of about 7/8 inch. Adults take nectar from flowers of herbaceous plants. As adults they live for 2 to 3 weeks.
A delight to find while I was out hiking!
________________________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
Two butterflies that are closely related. Their larvae both have, as their host plant, Hackberry trees (Celtis). The hungry larvae will concentrate on eating the leaves of the Hackberry trees at different times. Hackberry Emperor larvae will eat new foliage and the older leaves will be eaten by the Tawny Emperor larvae.
As adults they have similar eating habits as well. Both species seldom visit flowers, but will get their nutrients from tree sap, rotting fruit, carrion, scat, and damp sand or damp soil. You might find one deciding to alight on your arm or leg since they are attracted to human sweat that provides them with sodium.
Hackberry Emperors are more often seen then the Tawny Emperor. I was fortunate while I was hiking and came upon both of these butterflies, together, keeping me company as I was roaming.
________________________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
There are two active Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) nests here at the cabin right now. One at the front door, in an actual, small, bird house. The other at the back door, in a typical Carolina Wren habit, built in a basket that is hanging from the ceiling of the porch. They are quite creative in what they use for their nests. A few summers ago a nest was built on my front porch in a graniteware coffee pot, also hanging from the porch ceiling.
They don’t migrate, living in the eastern US, the southernmost part of Ontario, Canada, and the very northeast of Mexico. Here in Virginia they raise two broods, but in the deep south they may raise three broods.
Only male Carolina Wrens sing, although females will sometimes provide backup with a male, adding a bit of chattering or a trill.
They are particularly evident in song when I’m out and in their territory. It sounds as though I’m being scolded for invading their space, which I find entertaining. Stand up for yourself, little one!
________________________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
Worm-eating Warblers keep me company as I hike on my mountain, letting me know that they’re on the trails with me with their song. It’s a trill, sounding like an insect, and quite similar to the song of the Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina).
They are birds that are in the eastern US for only the breeding season. During the winter they seek the warmer locations of southern Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.
Their name is a bit misleading. They don’t eat Earthworms but mostly eat caterpillars and grubs supplementing those with slugs, spiders, and insects.
I enjoy that they love birdbaths so much, giving me an opportunity to see them out in the open rather than getting a too brief glance while they’re up in the trees hiding among the leaves.
Watering newly planted things in the garden got me out on this mighty hot first afternoon of summer, when I noticed a couple Great Spangled Fritillaries (Speyeria cybele) enjoying the sweet nectar of Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea).
As adults Great Spangled Fritillaries enjoy a life much longer than many butterflies. Some butterflies live for a month, at most, others have a life span of just one week. These fortunate butterflies are around, fluttering among the flowers, from mid-June till mid-September.
The host plants of Great Spangled Fritillaries are native violet species. These are the only things their caterpillars will eat. Many gardeners look upon violets as weeds in their gardens. I want these butterflies, so I don’t discourage violets.
Great Spangled Fritillaries make great models for my camera.
________________________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!