As the squirrel is looking over at the bird feeders in frustration, those wheels are turning. There is a squirrel baffle that works extremely well protecting those feeders from the marauders. It is one of those black metal, bent into a blunt cone-shape. It works really well. But it certainly gives the squirrels’ brains a workout.
A small portion of the crew of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) that are a constant source of entertainment during the summer months. Zooming ’round and ’round chasing each other. Playing “King of the Hill” as one decides that it will become the sole consumer of hummingbird syrup – chasing any tiny bird that dares come near the feeders.
They keep me busy, filling 2 – 32 ounce feeders and a large one that contains 72 ounces, every couple days.
Pure pleasure to have them around.
Yesterday I was out pulling Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) from one of my gardens. Something that has to be done regularly or it will take over the world, totally eliminating the native plants. Groan.
I was rewarded for my work/good deed with a visit from a tiny American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus). Surely not any longer than 2 inches. Just the cutest thing. I suppose that I disturbed the little one, since they’re nocturnal. Oops. They grow to reach a whopping 4.25 inches.
The American Toad has a lovely call that makes me think of summer night sounds. You can listen to it by going here and clicking on the audio link: https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/amphibians/frogsandtoads/eastern-american-toad/eastern_american_toad.php
They eat most anything on the menu such as worms, ants, spiders, mealworms, crickets, slugs and more. Good creatures to have around.
Most live just 1 to 2 years in the wild, though there are some that are fortunate to live for as long as 10 years.
Hoping that I’ll get to visit with this critter again!
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Yesterday an Indigo Bunting came by to check out the birdbath. A beautiful glowing shade of blue splashing about in the water.
Indigo Buntings spend their winters from extreme southern Florida to northern South America. In the breeding season they’re common in the eastern United States and occasionally can be found in the Southwest. While they’re here their diet is small spiders, insects, berries and occasional seeds.
And on occasion they’ll come by for freshening up here at the birdbath. Which certainly brightens my day.
A member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae), Nettleleaf Sage (Salvia urticifolia) is an herbaceous perennial that is native to the southeastern United States, with some found in Pennsylvania which is the northernmost part of its range.
It grows to 1 ½-2 feet tall, with square stems of green, that are pubescent. Leaves are opposite on short petioles.
Nettleleaf Sage grows in open woods and forest edges. Those forest edges are where I find it with its blue and white, purple and white or all white blooms.
A joy to discover.
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), native to northern and eastern North America. It’s an annual that is found in rich moist soils where it grows to a lush 2 to 5 feet tall.
Jewelweed has a dedicated following for its help with Poison Ivy and Stinging Nettles.
Hummingbirds and Bumblebees are dependable pollinators of Jewelweed.
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The Baltimore Checkerspot is in the family of brush-footed butterflies, or Nymphalidae. Their front legs are small which gives them the appearance of having four legs rather than six.
The range of the Baltimore checkerspot extends from southern Canada and the eastern United States to the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina and west across the Great Lakes region.
Baltimore Checkerspot is the state insect of Maryland. The population has faced significant decline and is currently listed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on the Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Animal List.
Deer browse is said to be a prime reason for Baltimore Checkerspot’s decline. White Turtlehead is the host plant of these butterfly caterpillars, particularly during the warm months when the caterpillars are small, and deer love this plant. As the caterpillars grow they’re able to use other host plants such as Arrowwood Viburnum, English Plantain, Penstemon and Honeysuckle. As adults, the Baltimore Checkerspots nectar at flowering plants including Common Milkweed, Dogbane, several species of Mountain Mint, and wild Blackberry. But it’s White Turtlehead that they seek for laying their eggs.
The Pandorus Sphinx Moth (Eumorpha pandorus) has a wingspan of 3.25 to 4.5 inches. That’s mighty big. Their host plants are vines: peppervine, grape, and Virginia creeper. Adults have a lifespan of 10 to 30 days. During that time they consume nectar from the flowers of bouncing bet, white campion, and petunia. They’re found in the east, southeast, and central parts of North America, and on my cabin’s screen.
Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum) are blooming up here in the mountains and will continue into early autumn. It has a soft look. That word “hoary” speaks to its silvery look.
The blooms, creamy white to lavender with lavender spots. The mint scented leaves cry out to be made into a tea.
The plants grow to be 24 to 36 inches tall. They’re native to eastern North America. A treat to find while I’m out roaming.
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Echinacea purpurea, or the common name, Purple Coneflower, is blooming right now. An herbaceous, perennial that is native to eastern North America. Though common in gardens, this species is fairly uncommon in the wild.
Pollinators of Echinacea are bees, butterflies and skippers. In the autumn, leave the seedheads and you’ll be rewarded by Goldfinches coming by to eat the seeds.
The butterfly enjoying the Echinacea in this picture is a Great Spangled Fritillary.
