State Flower Of Maryland

August 21, 2026

I’ve been waiting so long for these flowers to first, go to bud, and then to BLOOM! Now, they’ve been blooming for me for about a week, bringing me such pleasure. The flower? Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), the state flower of Maryland.

They start out their summer life with a cluster of basal leaves that remind me of big spoons that have thick handles. Other Black-eyed Susan species don’t have this characteristic, which helps me find which are the Rudbeckia hirta and which are not.

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Pleased As Punch

August 20, 2026

I’ve had several Japanese Beautyberry bushes (Callicarpa japonica) here at my cabin for years and years. Purchased before I knew to check the exact species of a plant before making any purchase. Since that purchase, my knowledge of nature, and native/non-native plants has grown a bit. This image, from long ago, is an American Beautyberry bush (Callicarpa americana) in Florida, where my Mom and Dad had several in a wild area in the circle across the street from their house.

And then, last year I spotted a small plant that had taken up residence in one of my gardens. I scratched my head and did loads of research before I decided maybe an American Beautyberry bush had taken up residence in one of my gardens. It didn’t bloom so I was only going on the appearance of the leaves at that point.

Now, my surprise plant from last year is blooming, and confirming my wild hope. It is indeed an American Beautyberry. How it got there, I have no idea.

But, I’m pleased as Punch!

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My Luna Moth For This Year

August 19, 2026

I’ve mentioned before that I usually see one adult Luna Moth (Actias luna) each year. I was out doing some weeding yesterday and happened upon this one, looking mighty bedraggled. My Luna Moth for 2026.

This is a male, since it has feather-like antennae. As adults they live just 7 to 10 days, during which time they don’t eat or drink but depend upon fat reserves that were stored during their time as caterpillars.

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Thread-waisted Wasp

August 18, 2026

Thread-waisted Wasp (Ammophila procera) showing off its most unusual appearance. Their size ranges from the larger females, 0.8 to 1.4 inches long, to males, 0.6 to 1.2 inches long. Their lifespan as adults is generally, for males 3 to 10 days, for females 2 to 4 weeks, sometimes as long as 6 weeks.

As adults they eat nectar, and in this role, they are beneficial garden pollinators. Their larvae do not eat nectar, but adult females hunt and paralyze various insects and spiders, put them into a nest and lay eggs on them. Once hatched the larvae will eat the meal waiting for them.

These wasps are quite gentle and rarely sting us humans unless they are mistreated by being trapped, handled or stepped on.

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Not A Hummingbird

August 17, 2026

Though at one of the hummingbird feeders, looking like it wants to be hummingbird, this is a Guinea Paper Wasp (Polistes exclamans).

Its native range is from New Jersey, to Florida, west to Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, and it also occurs in Mexico. It has been introduced to Hawaii, as well as Arizona, California, and New Mexico.

These wasps build an umbrella-shaped paper nest that is constructed of chewed wood fiber mixed with saliva. There is a single layer of hexagonal cells, and it hangs from a central stalk.

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Surprise Butterfly Weed

August 16, 2026

A few years back I put some Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) in my garden on the back hill and much to my surprise it is taking off on its own. Blooming every now and then, surprising me each time. Here is it shining bright with its brilliant orange, next to some of the Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens) which also attracts so many pollinators.

My favorite season is winter but oh my, is summer ever begging for more likes.

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Monarch On A Wild Ageratum

August 15, 2026

I was really pleased to see a Monarch (Danaus plexippus) this afternoon, sipping nectar at a Wild Ageratum (Conoclinium coelestinum).

During late summer into autumn, their favorite sources for nectar are goldenrod, asters, wild ageratum and Joe-Pye weed.

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Long Long Ago

August 14, 2026

Long, long ago, there was no internet, no email. My Dad worked at the USPS as a mail clerk. Still, today we get mail. Not as much as there used to be. Often several days go by with no mail. But still those mail boxes are needed, representing times long ago with no internet, no email.

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Spicebush Swallowtail At Scarlet Beebalm

August 13, 2026

A Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) gathering nectar from a Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma).

This butterfly is native to eastern North America, including the eastern United States, southern New England, also southern Canada, south to Florida, and west to the Great Plains, eastern Texas and Oklahoma.

Its host plants are for the most part members of the laurel and magnolia families. Their favorites are Common Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Both quite common here in central Virginia.

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More Hummingbirds

August 12, 2026

Yesterday, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) getting nectar at Cardinal Flowers (Lobelia cardinalis). Today, oodles of them at the feeders enjoying their hummingbird syrup.

They keep me busy. There are two feeders out on the front porch, and the hummingbirds empty 2 quarts every 3 days. They also keep me entertained with their antics, fighting each other off one moment and calmly sipping together the next. I have no idea how many there are out there. They move around much too quickly to count.

A favorite part of summer.

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