Dr Seuss Flowers

Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma)

It seems to be a flower from a drawing by Dr Seuss and certainly one designed just for my Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. It’s a flower that always makes me think of fireworks and the 4th of July.

Native to eastern North America, it’s a perennial plant that is 2 to 4 feet tall, and one that attracts oodles of pollinators including bees, butterflies, moths, wasps and hummingbirds.

And before I wrap things up, I want to wish you a very happy 4th of banana!

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Another Longhorn Beetle

This is a Banded Longhorn Beetle (Typocercus velutinus), notice its colors of deep maple syrup/reddish brown and yellow, and its pattern in that yellow.

Two days ago I did a blog post on the Long-horned Beetle (Typocerus zebra). Since then I’ve seen another Longhorn Beetle that looks quite similar. And to add to my befuddlement I see that these Beetles are in a family called Cerambycidae which has more than 35,000 species which are described. So, as you’re out looking at Longhorn Beetles, and looking them up as I do, keep that scientific name in mind. Things get confusing even with that scientific name but even more confusing if you don’t have it. If you’d like to go back to that post you can find it at: brendaclem.com/one-of-the-longhorn-beetles/.

Here, another picture of the Banded Longhorn Beetle (Typocercus velutinus). Its larvae feed on dead and decaying oaks and hickories. A beneficial species helping to return nutrients from those trees back to the forest floor. The adults eat pollen and nectar.

I’m hoping that as you read my ramblings you are taking a closer look at the things of nature around you.

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A Very Tall Wildflower

Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus), an herbaceous perennial that can grow to 5 – 7 feet tall. A member of the Aster family (Asteraceae) which is native to eastern and central North America.

The nectar and pollen of the Woodland Sunflower are quite popular with a wide variety of insects including bees, butterflies and skippers, flies, and beetles. The seeds of the flowers are eaten by many birds and mammals.

Flowers that are seen along sunny trails up here, and along Skyline Drive. A beautiful flower that says, “Happiness” to me!

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One Of The Longhorn Beetles

A Zebra Long-horned Beetle (Typocerus zebra), chowing down on the pollen and nectar of a Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). This is what all adult Long-horned Beetles eat, just the pollen and nectar of flowers.

Their size is about 1/2 inch. And they are believed to be harmless. The larval host of these beetles are pine trees. Their native range is eastern U.S. and Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

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Feeding The Babies

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.

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After More Than A Year

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.

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Patiently Waiting

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.

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Bunnies, Many Bunnies!

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.

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Perfect For Hummingbirds

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.

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Diurnal Moth

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!

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