Monday, June 29, 2009



It has been a beautiful day today and thankfully much cooler than the last few. I spent a little while this evening just walking around and checking on things in the garden. I must have a chipping sparrow nest in my arborvitae because these chipping sparrows were quite busy going in and out of it. They are such sweet little birds and stayed close by while I walked by the arborvitae. They were so close and I was trying not to move too much, so the pictures aren't very clear. I'll have to try again another day. I've not been able to get a good picture of the hummingbirds either. I have volunteer sunflowers growing and they are blocking the view from the patio. You can barely see him between the leaves.


The Japanese beetles are back...enough said.


I don't know what kind of critter this is, but it has been on the lambs ear for several days. It chases away the bumble bees and flies in a frenzied and angry pattern. Anyone know what it is.



The first sunflower has opened and now the liatris is beginning to bloom. I had such an annoying cough today and stayed home all day, I rested and read and watched for wildlife in the backyard. I was disappointed that I didn't see a single butterfly. Hopefully soon.


I love Verbena bonariensis and welcome it in my garden, but this is ridiculous! I've had it in my garden for about six years and it has always been very well behaved and actually is a perennial in one area of my yard. For some reason it is out of control this year and it's coming up all over the place. They are like weeds! As much as I love it, I can't have it smothering other perennials and plants. Maybe if the butterflies were all over the place and bringing me pleasure I might tolerate it, but since they aren't, some of it has got to go!

12 comments:

Kathleen said...

I wish I lived nearby ~ I'd help you pull some of the verbena bonariensis out then take it home and plant it! I am starting some from seed and it's really slow growing. I've seen a couple Swallowtails but that's it so far. Not that many bumblebees here either but we've been cooler and wetter than normal. I wonder if that's had an affect? Your garden is quite a bit further ahead of mine ~ neither the sunflowers or liatris are anywhere ready to bloom. The Chipping Sparrow is cute.

Rajesh said...

Fabulous shots.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

I put my comment at the bottom of the next post!??! oops. I did see the hummingbird, really have to look.
We have those chipping sparrows here, they like the feeders in the winter.
My Verbena is a mess too, reseeds all over. I treat it as a weed in many places.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

It must have been all the rain we have had that encouraged the Verbena. Your photos are so lovely. I really like the chippers.As you say they are such sweet sparrows.

our friend Ben said...

Lovely shots as always, Robin! I could never get Verbena bonariensis established here, try though I might, so I'm nothing but jealous!

Michelle said...

I love...love...love the pictures!

There's such beauty in nature.

Kerri Farley said...

More great shots Robin!! I would take some of those plants if I lived near you :)

Sheila said...

Well, send me some of oyour verbena as mine didn't come up this year! Today I was out & saw several butterflys--thank goodness.

Is that some kind of hornet on the lambs ear?

Beautiful pictures as always!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

The flower collage is so pretty.Have a great week.
BLessings,Ruth

Gail said...

Love the sparrow and verbena is another favorite! The critter looks like a fly but i don't which one it is!

gail

Louise @ Buddy Garden said...

Oh no, it's the dreaded japanese beetle. I'm not looking forward to that at all. Lovely photos.

Ginger said...

Hi Robin-
My 9 year old entomologist son said he believes it is a type of robber fly. Here is a link we found with a few more pictures:
http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg228.html