We saw this wooly worm as we started on our walk the other day.  Also called Wooly Bear, these caterpillars are the larvae of the Isabella tiger moth, Pyrrhorctia Isabella.  

 

We have all heard the folklore about wooly worms predicting winter weather, but I couldn't remember exactly, so I went to the Farmers' Almanac to read all about the folklore.  Very interesting.  Go there now if you'd like to learn more.   https://www.farmersalmanac.com/woolly-bear-caterpillar-facts-28792

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

As we started out for our friends' house for happy hour the other day, we had to wait for the turkeys to finish crossing the road.  

 

They weren't all that slow moving, so I was really lucky to get their picture.  

 

It is so fun to see all the wildlife in our neighborhood.  OK, maybe not ALL of it, but definitely some.

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

As we were walking by Rosalie's garden the other day, we saw several Monarch butterflies flitting around in the zinnias and marigolds.

 

Yep, it's that time of year:  time for the Monarchs to be passing through on their way to Mexico.  I love it when they visit.

 

I hope they will be visiting my garden soon.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

Have you seen all the mallards at Meeks Park?  It seems like just a couple months ago we were making way for ducklings.  Well, all those ducklings grew up and there are about a million mallards at the park.

 

Hey, Siri.  What is the collective noun for a group of mallards?  Her answer:  A group of ducks is called a raft, team, or paddling.

 

That was fun.  ;)

 

HAPPY END OF SUMMER!!!

 

 

 

Patty told me about this nest in one of Lee's dogwood trees.  I went looking for it, and couldn't see it, UNTIL I walked right up on it.  It is about 6 feet off the ground and really close to the road.  

 

Isn't it beautiful?  It is a hub of activity when the weather is warm and sunny.  A little calmer when it's cloudy.  I have read that between 400 and 700 wasps inhabit a nest this size.  I've also read that they are extremely aggressive at protecting their nest.  So DO NOT get too close!!!  

 

Patty took this picture, I hope using a telephoto lens from a safe distance.  Thanks, Patty.  

 

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!!

 

Look who we saw sunning herself in the park.  And!!!  She waited until I took the picture, then flew away.

 

I love seeing Red-Spotted Purples, anywhere.  

 

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!!

 

The Sumac trees are blooming all over.  As you approach the trees, you can HEAR the bees.  It sounds like the trees are humming.

 

There are thousands of bees in our trees;  you can even see the pollen they have collected on their hind legs.  

 

This tree is very near the garden, which makes me happy.  Thousands of pollinators are ready to work their magic in our garden.  Without the bees, we'd have no fruit:  that means no cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, tomatillos, peppers, apples, peaches.  We are so fortunate to have all these pollinators in our neighborhood.

 

I love the Sumac trees for bringing the bees close to the garden.  More garden friends.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!! 

 

 

 

We were walking in the park the other day at a pretty good clip, and all of a sudden Jon grabbed my arm, and I squealed.  We were about to step on a black snake warming itself in the sunspot.

 

We stopped and took its picture, of course.  About the same time, a little girl (about 5 or 6 years old) and her grandmother came up behind us.  They stopped too and we pointed out the snake, showing interest but no fear.  The little girl was very interested, and we told her that it wasn't a poisonous snake, that it actually keeps Rattlesnakes away.  She didn't get too close, but she was fascinated;  the grandmother looked a bit worried, but she took its picture too.  And we all watched as it made its way back into the woods.

 

So glad we got there first.  Otherwise, I believe the mood wouldn't have been fascination, it might have been fear.   

 

HAPPY HIKING!!

 

Looking at the cucumbers this morning, I came across this friend in the garden.  Praying Mantids eats insects, and are definitely my friends in the garden. 

 

This one was on a brownish leaf, so it was camouflaged brownish.  But, again, it was at my eye level, so I saw it right away.  

 

I love seeing these critters in the garden.

 

HAPPY  GARDENING!!!

 

Now they are coming in pairs!!!  

 

Last night we looked out toward the apple trees, and there were two mommas and each one had two babies.  

 

The first time I heard my sister speak of "the damn deer,"  I thought she was being facetious.  Well, now I know from my own experience that she was being truthful. They can be a nuisance, especially in such large numbers.

 

So, be careful when you are driving through the neighborhood;  where there's one, there are many.  And for some reason, they want to be on the OTHER side of the road.

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!