Once again the painted lady butterflies were all over my almost dead zinnias. I never expected to see them again this year. We are expecting a freeze tonight and I doubt those zinnias will last through the night, so today's visit was a special treat for me.
Not only did I have the butterflies, but for the very first time since I've lived here I had blue jays in my yard. I was in the kitchen preparing lunch and enjoying the usual glance out the window and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw three of them descend on my feeders. Their loud cry is unmistakable and they immediately sent the sparrows scurrying off.
I know that they are considered a menace to some because of their bullying and raucous ways, but I have really missed seeing them and I hope they will stay.
This may seem silly to some, but when I read Lisa at Greenbow Gardens post about watching her bird feeder, and Robin (bumblebees) post on her lack of birds , I began wistfully thinking of my bird feeders back home in Alabama and how I missed the variety of birds that I had there, I thought then that I wouldn't really consider my bird feeder a success until I saw a blue jay. Then low and behold, here they are today after almost seven years. I've been like a giddy child all day thinking about this little blessing. Now all I need are the woodpeckers, dark-eyed juncos, chickadees and nuthatches. Well, maybe next year.
This wasn't a nice surprise, one of them met their demise. If only I was a little quicker on my feet...
With the freeze warning tonight, I'm very glad that I have my gerbera daisies tucked safely inside. I have enjoyed their blooms since spring and they are still giving and will hopefully be in bloom for November Blogger Bloom Day.
7 comments:
Blue Jays...good for you. They are not only loud they are big gossips. I bet you will start getting more diversity to your feeders soon as the Jays will tell everyone about their find.
Those are some beautiful daisies. I need to put up a bird feeder and get some more butterfly loving plants on my balcony. I hardly every see any birds. Bluejays are so beautiful I'm glad your feeder is a success.
The blus jays look quite satisfied with your feeder. And I like Lisa's comment so much, too funny.
Hi, Robin. I also have been noticing a bunch of late butterflies this year, especially painted ladies, which I normally hardly ever see, Red Admirals, and fritillaries. And a bumper crop of bluejays too. Many more that usual for some reason. I'm in Maryland.
I'm seeing and hearing blue jays this fall for the first time in a long time. I've not seen any on the feeders though :-(
I wonder if they're just now building populations back after they were thinned out by West Nile virus?
We used to have so many blue jays, but I haven't seen them around for the last few years. I did see one about three weeks ago and was shocked. I hope they come back. They are noisy but they're really pretty.
Blue Jays seem to be abundant in my present neighborhood - we seldom saw them at the last house a few miles away. I'm glad you're seeing their blue feathers flash at your house, Robin!
Lisa's idea is too funny - hope the Blue Jays don't talk up your garden to the grackles and starlings!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
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