Friday, August 28, 2009

Summer garden visitors

8-28-09 waning summer brain

You know its August when: you get excited about unexpected visitors in your garden!


This last Sunday was such a beautiful day, mild with refreshing breeze. I decided I wanted to spend some time outdoors early evening, so I started to give some attention to the front flower garden, pulling a few weeds.

To my surprise, I came across TWO Monarch butterfly "caterpillars".... I knew what they looked like from my experience last August. I had one attach to the back house siding, making a crystal-cocoon and become a butterfly!

Pictures from last year:





Also this last weekend I spotted my first hummingbird. My feeder has been out since spring, and maybe I've had hummingbirds before, but I never seem to spot them until late August. I believe I get the hummingbirds who are migrating south this time of year.

Another surprise I had last year was my favorite so far. A wonderful Praying Mantis.


Our Des Moines yard and gardens are small, so I find it amazing that they attract so many wonderful visitors!

2 comments:

  1. I've had my eyes peeled for catapillers, but nothing yet. But I do have hummingbirds, 3 of them. They tend to arrive when its cooler out. They've been around off and on all summer. Great pictures!

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  2. Pumpkins, butterflies and birds..you attract the most beautiful thigngs mother nature has to offer.

    Enjoy.

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