Under the right conditions, weeding is an enjoyable and very relaxing task for me. It had rained during the night and the weeds were easy to pull. Definitely the right conditions for weeding cool, cloudy, rain-soaked and quiet. Of course, before I began working, I had to check things out and take a few pictures.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Embracing Weeding
This morning was cloudy and cool, perfect for working in the yard. The weeds were beginning to take over the flowerbeds, so I decided to embrace weeding today. If you're curious about how to embrace weeding, click on the hyper-link and read Carol's post.
Under the right conditions, weeding is an enjoyable and very relaxing task for me. It had rained during the night and the weeds were easy to pull. Definitely the right conditions for weeding cool, cloudy, rain-soaked and quiet. Of course, before I began working, I had to check things out and take a few pictures.
The zinnias are beginning to bloom. This is one summer flower that I absolutely must have in my garden. So easy to grow from seed and the butterflies love them.
The 'Lady in Red' salvia is beginning to bloom as well. I saved the seed last year and sprinkled them on the ground in the spring. They are doing very well and before too long I should have plenty of these red flowers for the hummingbirds.
The hydrangeas are still pretty small and only one of them has blooms and this one only has two small clusters. I may try to move them in the fall to see if I can find a location where they might be happier.
The rain-soaked Japanese maple.
I think this is a wild geranium.
This should come as no surprise to anyone who regularly reads my blog, but I garden mainly to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. I love flowers and would grow some of them regardless, but the thrill of gardening for me is the sight of some little creature enjoying the fruits of my labor. I usually plant parsley to attract the black swallowtail butterfly to the garden. It is a host plant for the caterpillar. This year I added fennel for the black swallowtail butterflies, it too is a host plant.
I was delighted when I noticed the caterpillars munching away on the fennel today. The parsley is right beside the fennel, and I didn't notice any caterpillars on it. Maybe they prefer the fennel. I'll definitely be adding this for them from now on. Besides, I love the smell of fennel!
The small butterfly weed plant is blooming beside the fennel, hopefully soon I'll see the newly emerged black swallowtail butterflies enjoying these blooms.
I was standing at the kitchen sink last evening and noticed a cedar waxwing in the tree. I quietly slipped outside and took pictures. This was only my second time to see one of them here.
Under the right conditions, weeding is an enjoyable and very relaxing task for me. It had rained during the night and the weeds were easy to pull. Definitely the right conditions for weeding cool, cloudy, rain-soaked and quiet. Of course, before I began working, I had to check things out and take a few pictures.
Labels:
Birds,
Butterflies,
Caterpillars,
Zinnia
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Hanging In There
I went to Cool Creek Park a few days ago to walk the trails and observe the birds and wild life from the nature center. They are having summer camp there and lots of little hand prints were on the glass, in fact, it was nearly impossible to get a picture from the windows due to the smudges. This was the only window shot that turned out even half-way decent. There was a hawk sitting in a nearby tree and the squirrels were laying low and the bird activity came to a screeching halt.

This squirrel picture reminds me of our situation right now, as we are just hanging in there waiting to see what happens next. Right now, things are looking very good. My husband has had two job interviews that have gone very well. He also has a couple of other interviews lined up for next week. We are hoping to hear something positive in the next week or two. Please continue praying.
(You can click on the pictures to enlarge them!)
I sat outside yesterday morning trying to get pictures of the hummingbirds. Every time I would lay my books aside and pick up the camera they would zip away. They were so fast! They are such curious creatures! As I sat on the swing one of them flew right up to my face to check me out. I wish I could have gotten that picture! Amy, From High And Dry commented a few days ago that one had done the same thing to her husband. She said, "Would you believe that tonight my husband had a hummingbird fly right up to him and hover in front of his face, about an inch from his nose? They looked at each other for a bit and then the bird flew away. Amazing! Wish I'd been there to see it." That is exactly what this one did to me, Amy.
The bumblebees are interesting to watch on the petunias; instead of going inside the flower, they go to the base and cut the flower.
When I stepped outside yesterday morning there were several ducks in my back yard. I guess it is the momma duck that frequented my yard early spring. She came back and brought her young with her.
Crossing the street and heading back to the pond.
The goldfinches are enjoying the sunflowers. They'll soon be feasting on the large sunflowers that are about to bloom. They were scarce for a while, so I'm very glad to have something during the summer that is drawing them to the yard. Usually in the fall they eat the seeds from the echinacea, cosmos and zinnias, so I rarely deadhead my flowers.
This squirrel picture reminds me of our situation right now, as we are just hanging in there waiting to see what happens next. Right now, things are looking very good. My husband has had two job interviews that have gone very well. He also has a couple of other interviews lined up for next week. We are hoping to hear something positive in the next week or two. Please continue praying.
I sat outside yesterday morning trying to get pictures of the hummingbirds. Every time I would lay my books aside and pick up the camera they would zip away. They were so fast! They are such curious creatures! As I sat on the swing one of them flew right up to my face to check me out. I wish I could have gotten that picture! Amy, From High And Dry commented a few days ago that one had done the same thing to her husband. She said, "Would you believe that tonight my husband had a hummingbird fly right up to him and hover in front of his face, about an inch from his nose? They looked at each other for a bit and then the bird flew away. Amazing! Wish I'd been there to see it." That is exactly what this one did to me, Amy.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Butterflies and Hummingbirds
I went to Cool Creek Park a few days ago and saw this posted on the bathroom wall, I thought it was fitting for today's post.
The bee is not afraid of me,
I know the butterfly;
The pretty people in the woods
Receive me cordially.
The brooks laugh louder when I come,
The breezes madder play.
Wherefore, mine eyes, thy silver mists?
Wherefore, O summer's day?
Emily Dickinson
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Hummingbirds are Finally Here!
Thank you to all of you who mentioned that my RSS feed wasn't working, I'm not sure what happened, but we've been having some computer issues lately. I hope I have corrected the problem, and that it's working for you again. Please let me know if it isn't.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Garden Blogger Bloom Day
I have volunteer sunflowers all around the yard.
Here's my complete list for July:
Cosmos
Purple Wave Petunias
Impatiens
Hosta
Liatris
Purple Cone Flower
Spirea
Salvia 'Purple Rain' and Red
East Freeland Sage
Coleus
Superbells
Verbena (pink and purple)
Verbena Bonariensis
Verbena Bonariensis
Lantana
Zinnia
Roses
Balloon Flower
Begonias
Begonias
Butterfly Bush
Gerbera Daisies
Russian Sage
Veronica Speedwell
Anise Hyssop 'Golden Jubilee'
Lavender
Mallow
Pansy
Rose of Sharon
Sunflowers
Black-eyed Susan
Pentas
Phlox
Tomato
Wild Geranium
Butterfly weed
Lavender
Mallow
Pansy
Rose of Sharon
Sunflowers
Black-eyed Susan
Pentas
Phlox
Tomato
Wild Geranium
Butterfly weed
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Summer is Here!
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
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