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Toad In The Garden
Yesterday I was out pulling Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) from one of my gardens. Something that has to be done regularly or it will take over the world, totally eliminating the native plants. Groan. I was rewarded for my work/good deed with a visit from a tiny American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus). Surely not any longer…
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Splashing In The Birdbath
Yesterday an Indigo Bunting came by to check out the birdbath. A beautiful glowing shade of blue splashing about in the water. Indigo Buntings spend their winters from extreme southern Florida to northern South America. In the breeding season they’re common in the eastern United States and occasionally can be found in the Southwest. While…
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Nettleleaf Sage
A member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae), Nettleleaf Sage (Salvia urticifolia) is an herbaceous perennial that is native to the southeastern United States, with some found in Pennsylvania which is the northernmost part of its range. It grows to 1 ½-2 feet tall, with square stems of green, that are pubescent. Leaves are opposite on short…
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Jewelweed
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), native to northern and eastern North America. It’s an annual that is found in rich moist soils where it grows to a lush 2 to 5 feet tall. Jewelweed has a dedicated following for its help with Poison Ivy and Stinging Nettles. Hummingbirds and Bumblebees are dependable pollinators of Jewelweed.
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Baltimore Checkerspot
The Baltimore Checkerspot is in the family of brush-footed butterflies, or Nymphalidae. Their front legs are small which gives them the appearance of having four legs rather than six. The range of the Baltimore checkerspot extends from southern Canada and the eastern United States to the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina and west across…
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Pandorus Sphinx Moth
The Pandorus Sphinx Moth (Eumorpha pandorus) has a wingspan of 3.25 to 4.5 inches. That’s mighty big. Their host plants are vines: peppervine, grape, and Virginia creeper. Adults have a lifespan of 10 to 30 days. During that time they consume nectar from the flowers of bouncing bet, white campion, and petunia. They’re found in…
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Hoary Mountain Mint
Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum) are blooming up here in the mountains and will continue into early autumn. It has a soft look. That word “hoary” speaks to its silvery look. The blooms, creamy white to lavender with lavender spots. The mint scented leaves cry out to be made into a tea. The plants grow…
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Echinacea In July
Echinacea purpurea, or the common name, Purple Coneflower, is blooming right now. An herbaceous, perennial that is native to eastern North America. Though common in gardens, this species is fairly uncommon in the wild. Pollinators of Echinacea are bees, butterflies and skippers. In the autumn, leave the seedheads and you’ll be rewarded by Goldfinches coming…
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Inflated Lobelia
Inflated Lobelia (Lobelia inflata), tiny flowers, in shades of white, pale blue and lavender, with a hint of yellow inside. Blooming from July to October. And like many of the plants growing around us, it is poisonous. Here you can see the the “inflated” fruit of Inflated Lobelia which gives this plant its common, as…
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What’s Up There?
I had another visit today, from a wonderful bird, a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum). They don’t get seen often, but my blueberries are ripe now and they love them. Blueberries are a sure draw for many birds. Over the course of just a couple minutes I was able to get more than 40 images of…