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Female Hummingbird
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). These tiny creatures are so very entertaining. I think about now, all have arrived that will be here for the summer. I love to see them whirling about like crazy, chasing each other, playing “King of the Mountain” by sitting on top of the feeder keeping everyone else away.…
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Black Raspberry Or Blackberry
After talking about Black Raspberries (Rubus occidentalis) with a dear friend just yesterday – what do I come upon today, but ripe Black Raspberries. A look alike, the Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) will not be ripe for another month. Before I mention the differences between the berries, I want to mention that the plants themselves look…
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Really Red
This morning I spotted two male Scarlet Tanagers (Piranga olivacea) in my Montmorency cherry tree. A tree that is filled with brilliant red cherries. Seeing one of these gorgeous birds is a real treat but to see two together is amazing. And in that tree with cherries that match their color – way beyond amazing.…
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Fledgling Cardinal
I don’t keep track of birds I’ve seen, where and when. No life list. Yesterday though, was the first time I’ve ever seen a fledgling Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). I won’t write it down. Just interesting to think of. Cardinals generally lay their eggs late April to early May. Two to five eggs are laid,…
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Bear In The Garden
Finally, after a long absence, a Black Bear (Ursus americanus) has made its presence known to me. After seeing, not a single one for a few years, this is a treat. This one that showed up, providing me time to get several pictures, looking mighty healthy. This beautiful creature is a youngster. They leave their…
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Dogwood Blooming In June
There are somewhere between 30 to 60 species of Dogwood in the family Cornaceae. This one, Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa), is quite different in many ways from the Dogwood that I’m most familiar with, Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida. But first, the leaves look very similar, and they are both opposite. Gray Dogwood is in full bloom, as…
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Sunshine Yellow Blooms
The brightest of yellow, blooming right now. Narrow Leaf Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa), a native to eastern North America. A member of the Evening Primrose family, Onagraceae. Bees, butterflies and skippers pollinate the flowers. A delight to see, brightening the roadsides. _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up…
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Bird Days
The summer birds are arriving. I’m having a grand time seeing the first of this, that, and the other bird, as each day ticks by. Yesterday was a good one for seeing firsts. Not necessarily a good day for photos though. As I’ve raved about in the past, my birdbath is a great attraction for…
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Goldfinches At The Yucca
Not quite in their full summer plumage, the Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) were at the Yucca filamentosa yesterday afternoon as if it were their playground. Truth be told, I’ve been sprinkling hulled sunflower seeds on the ground, which is what called to them. Goldfinches are seed eaters. I love to let my gardens be, as summer…