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Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Ailanthus Webworm Moth (Atteva aurea). A moth that fools many. Erroneously thought to be a beetle because of its bright colors and its adults taking in flower nectar during the day. And that shape, how can that be a moth? The Ailanthus Webworm Moth is native to southern Florida and the American tropics. There it…
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Carolina Wrens – 2nd Brood
This is the second brood for this pair of Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus). As is normally the case, they’ve gone to a second location, abandoning their previous successful spot, which was in the antique graniteware coffee pot hanging from the porch ceiling. Now they’re on the back porch in a basket that is also hanging…
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Hummingbird Moths
There are four species of Hummingbird Moth in North America, members of the sphinx moth family (Sphingidae). Sometimes they get mistaken for baby hummingbirds. But they are moths that collect nectar during the day. One of the species, in the photograph above, is the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth. This moth has a golden back, a chestnut-brown abdomen,…
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Perplexing Bumble Bee
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is in full bloom right now delighting bees and butterflies up and down the mountainsides. In this photo, a beautiful bright yellow Perplexing Bumble Bee (Bombus perplexus) is enjoying the nectar that Common Milkweed provides.
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Peaches
Ah summer, don’t you love it? Summer with peaches that is. The absolute best of flavors. Great to eat sliced atop homemade vanilla ice cream, in a peach pie, in a custard peach pie, sliced on cereal for breakfast. Oh and that aroma. Nothing better.
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American Germander
Native to all 48 of our contiguous states and a good bit of Canada too. An herbaceous perennial in the mint family American Germander (Teucrium canadense). Opposite leaves, squarish stem. Typical of the mint family. You’ll find Bees of the long-tongued sort, Hummingbird Moths, and Hummingbirds them selves, as pollinators. And if you’re looking for…
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Yarrow
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). The temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe and North America claim Yarrow as a native herbaceous perennial flowering plant. It’s blooming right now in this area, looking a bit like Queen Anne’s Lace because of the large clusters of flowers atop the plant’s stems. But those clusters of flowers…
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Wineberry
Such a conflict. They are an exotic invasive, aggressively growing where native plants would otherwise grow. Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius). Wineberry is native to eastern Asia and was introduced to North America in the 1890s as a potential breeding stock for raspberries. On the other hand, these berries are delicious. They are an ingredient for a wonderful sherbet. Much anticipated…
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Gaillardia
Here Gaillardias are growing wild in New Mexico, at Bandelier National Monument. A park I’ve visited many times. And hope to visit many more times. And more Gaillardias growing wild at Bandelier National Monument. It seems they’re ubiquitous! It amuses me. My Dad had a thing about digging up Dandelions in his lawn. He was…
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Red Currants
I put in two bushes of Red Currant (Ribes rubrum) last year that I purchased at the Greene Farmer’s Market from Saint Isadore Homestead & Permaculture. This year they both bloomed and now they have produced the most beautiful fruit. Little berries of the richest ruby red. I put the bushes in with no plans…