Close Encounter

While standing beside my bird feeder with my camera trying to take a picture of a hummingbird, I was surprised to see this finch (?) eating sunflower seeds without any concern that I was very close. I believe it is a young bird that has not yet learned to be afraid of humans.

Flowers July 5, 2009

Raindrops on canna lily leaves

Butterfly bush - purple in front and white in back

Plumbago

Collage of Zinnias

Butterfly weed

Butterfly weed buds

Spring brings new birth

July 2 ... For a couple of days the young bluebirds have been peeping out of the house and chirping. I believe they are about to fledge. Hope I get to see it.

On July 4 while sitting on the deck having coffee at 6:15 am,

I was lucky enough to see this bluebird as he made his first flight into the "real world".

I discovered these cardinal eggs in a leyland cypress

when I saw the birds going into the trees. I have a row

of cypresses and it is a favorite place for nesting and

roosting for many birds. I just happend to look out the window and this young

robin was sitting on the porch. I took the picture through

the window.

Cardinals nesting in a cedar tree at the edge of my yard

First butterfly of the summer 7/4/09

Squirrel Antics

Squirrel drinking from the pond - he had half of his face in the water. The arbor with a plate of birdseed was close to the bluebird house that had babies in it. Mom and Pop Bluebird did not like the squirrel so close, so they buzzed him and pecked him on the head. The squirrel decided to take the seed and lay on the platform below where the bluebirds couldn't get to him. He would sneak up and get a seed and quickly crouch back on the ledge below to eat. Eating seeds from a sunflower head.

Another favorite place to eat is on the driftwood.

"Unknown" nest

Does anyone know what kind of nest this is? The two "egg like" objects are attached and hard.

In the garden

God blesses me everyday with a new photo op in the yard. While I was watering flowers, this rainbow appeared in the mist. This is why I always have my camera in my pocket. Bee on salvia Honeybee on Coneflower Yard in early morning Daylily "Poldark Red" Daylily Gooseneck Loosestrife Bunnytail Grass

Another beautiful day in the garden June 29, 2009

12-spotted skimmer dragonfly was spotted flying near the fish pond. It took lots of patience to get this photo. Click on the picture to see a larger view.

Under the crepe myrtle

Hummingbird moth on petunia - I've been trying

for a long time to get a good picture of the moth.

Berries on Viburnum

The garden at sunrise from the deck. What a

place to have my morning coffee.

Mr. Bunny on the garden bench

Fritillary on purple coneflower

Butterfly bush - the blooms this year are longer

than my arm.

Bee on yarrow

Frog on lilypad in fish pond

Spring Visitors

Yellow Rumped Warbler This is the first time I have ever seen this bird.

Northern Flicker The Rose Breasted Grosebeak visits the feeder every year in May

Barbara's Garden, May 2009

This birdhouse was put out on Wed. and the next day

the bluebirds with investigating. Two days later they

were building their nest in it.

Male and female bluebirds have picked their new home

Female Bluebird - May 23, 2009 Male Bluebird - May 23, 2009 Knockout Rose - May 19, 2009 Iris - May 19, 2009 Rose from Old City Cemetery - May 19, 2009

Rose from daughter

Horsetail Grass - May 18, 2009