We went out to fertilize the new dogwood trees, and when I looked up I saw this!!!  I knew that the praying mantis egg case was on the branch, so I just looked up to see it, and THIS is what I saw!!!  Babies emerging all over the egg case.  And going in all directions.

 

We had to stop what we were doing, and investigate this.  Remember how small the egg case is?  2 inches, max.  And I told you there are 50 -100 praying mantis babies in there?  Well, here is the proof!!!  First time I've ever seen this.  

 

We couldn't wait to check on the other ones.  There's one in the Rosemary, and another one in the sage.  Neither of them are "ripe" yet.  We'll have to keep checking back.  It is SO exciting!!!   And Amazing!!!

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

 

I hope you are checking the Angelcam for bluebird activity.  One time when I checked, Momma bird had stepped off the nest and I saw two little baby birds!!!  Another time, a different nest, there were 5 little blue eggs.

 

Here's the link again:   https://wildbirds-1.click2stream.com/   

 

And:   https://wbu-yorktown.click2stream.com/        Go there!!!

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

Photo credit:  Wikipedia

 

I love this picture of a male Eastern Bluebird.  Thought you would too.

 

It's time to start checking in on the Bluebirds in Yorktown.  There is a Wild Birds Unlimited Store there that has Angelcams inside a couple bluebird nest boxes.  

 

You can go to  https://wildbirds-1.click2stream.com/  to see inside one of the boxes.  And, go to  https://wbu-yorktown.click2stream.com/  to see inside the other one.  They are on slightly different schedules.  On Sunday I saw three blue eggs in one nest, and Momma Bluebird on the other one.  Go look; it is fascinating.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

I couldn't remember if I showed you the rock that our friend up on Bella Vista kept seeing as a turtle.

 

She has lived here over 15 years, and every time she drove past this rock, she saw a turtle.  So we got a couple cans of green and blue spray paint and made her dream a reality.  She loved it!!!  So do we, every time we walk by it.  

 

LIFE IS GOOD!!!

 

I've shown you one of these before.  Remember what it is?  

 

Praying Mantis egg case.  This one is in the Rosemary bush.  It's a little hard to tell how big it is from this picture, but if you touch your index finger to your thumb, that circle is about the size of this egg case.  It probably holds between 50 and 100 baby mantids.  

 

I love finding these in the winter, because I know we will have Praying Mantids in the spring.  I love seeing them, but even more I love that they eat bugs.  I saw a full grown Praying Mantis carrying off a full size Monarch caterpillar once.  OK, I didn't love that, but it is good that they eat other bugs.

 

HAPPY ALMOST SPRING!!!

 

As we came around the corner onto Mocassin Church Rd., we were amazed to see all these turkeys.  We guessed that when we first saw them, there were about ten males showing their stuff.

 

By the time I got out and got my camera ready some of the females had already moved up the hill to shelter.  But just look at them all!!!

 

Sorry about that power line in the picture, but I was so intent on capturing all the turkeys and the free standing chimney, I didn't even see it.  Just snapped the picture.   

 

We love seeing critters in the hills!!

 

HAPPY MARCH!!!

 

I looked out in the yard, and who did I see guarding the bird feeders?  Guess!!!  

 

It is our not-too-subtle cat, Gizmo.  I'm not sure what he's waiting for, or expecting to happen, but he spent the good part of an hour watching the birds come and go.

 

He's our buddy.  

 

HAPPY BIRDING!!!

 

As I started out for my walk on Sunday afternoon, I didn't get far before I saw this little lady crossing the road.  I was able to get her picture.  If you enlarge the photo just a little, you can see she is following her friend across the road.  Then a few steps later, I saw a third one.  Missed that shot.

 

I swear, they look like dinosaurs don't they?

 

HAPPY OCTOBER!!!

 

I am happy to say that I did NOT take this picture.  But one of our friends did, and he took it here in the neighborhood.  Yikes!!!

 

This is a copperhead, and I'm showing you this picture to help you know how to identify it from a distance.  See the Hershey kisses along the length?  That is typical coloration for copperheads.  They are quite aggressive, so you only have a second to identify it.  I've seen other descriptions, but the Hershey kisses really paints a memorable picture.  

 

There aren't hundreds in our neighborhood, but there are some;  so be careful when you walk in the woods, or down the trail.  Also, be aware when you're working in the yard or garden.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

This red-spotted purple butterfly hung around all day.  

 

I saw it on the potting bench in the morning, then on the deck rail at noon;  it just seemed to be happy here in my space. 

 

It makes me happy to know that I am providing happy spaces for butterflies.  Life is Good!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!