ROBINS NESTING PLACE

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!