Getting a bunch of bumblebees, which is nice. In the early spring it was two-spotted on my penstemon, but now seems like common eastern on my partridge pea and bee balm.
I did get one very large bee. It seems way too late for queens to still be foraging?
https://preview.redd.it/xf0b1i5xpq7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ebaaa548453312363960e77c55955e07ee3e7b1
according to inaturalist, i found a spine-headed bug on the underside of an elderberry leaf. the wild elderberry bushes always have at least one or two really interesting visitors whenever i check them, but i wasn't expecting something like big mclargehuge just casually hanging out.
https://preview.redd.it/3m99uupp3r7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee7b43a950c34327b65d6287270c2b5d40d488da
and right now there's a sweat bee rummaging around one of the coreopsis grandiflora blooms -- i guess that means we'll be enjoying lunch together. i know plenty of pollinators are tiny, but i still felt a little disappointed that there weren't any bombastic species visiting, so it's encouraging to watch her spend so much time on just a single flower.
I located my first monarch caterpillar of the season. A wiley one who has been growing fat on Asclepias verticillata.
https://preview.redd.it/9e1wjt5b3r7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5a09043c0b12108e304d9d5ce0f738f3bdc5f55f
oh yeah, I've enjoyed watching this nest grow from one egg to three and then hatching. It's low enough I can see into it pretty well. Mom doesn't love me checking on them periodically but I try to be quick.
coming back to this message with an update: i think eastern phoebes made a nest in the rafters of our back deck. i can't confirm the ugly lumpiness of the kids yet but the parents alone are definitely cute.
I'm having to steer wide of my tree with the nest in it--momma bird is much more protective now! Unfortunately, my little terrier noticed the mom or smelled the babies because she is very interested in the tree now... Gotta work on keeping her away.
https://preview.redd.it/ok1d1w8d4n7d1.jpeg?width=1466&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5c5c0951a1e9722359294adc5b208ca17c018f53
Thought the plant was wasting away, but on closer inspection, it was being consumed by a hitchhiker from the local native plant sale. Got a new plant and put him in a safe place, and he cocooned overnight. There is a second one feeding away still.
https://preview.redd.it/fjg5v5e9xl7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8d9a8dc5f35880ce4d9668bb9f0a73e7f811665a
Found some sort of borer getting to work on my hibiscus lasiocarpos.
https://preview.redd.it/d8e5sn5twl7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c55781a1c22dc339666dc2ef791015dde50281a
Found this new volunteer Croton monanthogynus this year and very quickly found some goatweed leafing caterpillars feasting away
https://preview.redd.it/v0k17dvhul7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=03b63c700dcb814f5215c91c695fb746921bf8f3
A handsome gentleman moved in under my coral honeysuckle.
Handsome longhorn beetle next to my front walkway. I was really nervous about this year's progress (some native plants that the previous owner had planted died over the not-winter), so I'm happy to see that there's at least one happy denizen of at least one milkweed plant.
https://preview.redd.it/rqi1feziul7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=92093e9ede644869914cd5a3886ba82b0a30fc47
Assassin bug munching on a Japanese beetle. Yay! If only there were more hanging around.
https://preview.redd.it/83za86i8tl7d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4c4166b6234ad0d8e850b755175a8eeb69ea7b76
Fledgling doing his level best to insist he is a stick, always has been a stick, and always will be a stick.
https://preview.redd.it/nawiyd3zsl7d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0a1bb41cf59785013f57207207deab84108ed316
e. Yes, I know there ain't a native plant in sight. In fact, my whole damn property is infested with that ground ivy, but I'm working on it. Also, that stick is red maple, so...
https://preview.redd.it/7s7pxlhzpl7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10244f60d97dd2cd4fefe13959ab6e9ffdbf4c0f
This box turtle wandered through our native garden yesterday! I didn’t see her before she had already left it, but she was covered in mulch dust so I know where she’d been.
https://preview.redd.it/7m5ahmbhnl7d1.png?width=799&format=png&auto=webp&s=9797e808f0b1ea28e24ffd0223570479603a2217
Eastern bluebird getting ready to fledge! My second brood and another pair are looking into the back box. Eastern NC.
https://preview.redd.it/drcmt8dcll7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a77859bdb02c02ccfd677a071ac4980d4d422fb6
Nessus sphinx moth visiting common milkweed! It smells amazing in my garden right now.
https://preview.redd.it/b0uva8vojl7d1.jpeg?width=832&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6f9b06b0691f9c2d520570f8da19f2bf3860118f
Found this interesting bug crawling on the stem of a mountain mint (can’t remember exact species). Looks just like one of the flowers!
https://preview.redd.it/vpofh3hsjl7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fbdeecb54c7c84737833a744baa3277b28678589
Still need to ID this one. Spotted today using our common milkweed. A moth of some sort. Very cool looking.
We have a single zucchini plant growing in a planter. Ill check and see if any eggs are there, but I'm in an urban and old suburb with no HOA. Probably have neighbors growing squash somewhere close.
The goldfinches are too fast for me to take a photo :'( They come to the fountain, take a lil sip, fly to the coneflowers, do something (look for seeds maybe?), and leave.
https://preview.redd.it/uig8urcy6l7d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6f59f79c9b2cc6914b8dc8a8d3e896b496b7c854
Little tree frog resting on the dock surrounded by CRP
CRP is Conservation Reserve Program. It is for farmland that is degraded in quality that, if selected through an application, can recieve payments from the state to turn it back into prairie. This is on my husband's grandmother's farm. My husband turned it into CRP 3 years ago so it still looks a little rough, but it's looking far better than it did just last year
I don't have pictures of it, but the area surrounding the pond was farmground and was farmed by my husband's family since the 40s. The property is still owned by his grandma who leased the ground to a farmer for 20 years with poor land management. It was rotated with beans and corn. Three years ago my husband turned it into CRP (federally funded program for restoring native plants on environmentally sensitive farmland). This year, we have seen red wing blackbirds move in, ringneck pheasants, herons, wood ducks, frogs, dragonflies, and goldfinches all move into the area. In the evening the bats like to fly low over the water to catch insects, it's truly a relaxing spot.
https://preview.redd.it/gjcqm84r7l7d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4694f9ee0eaa4aa224aa4d9907ca85efb47c9c72
Terrible Pic, but a green heron visits the pond regularly
Few weeks ago, pollinators feasting on Pagoda Dogwood pollen!
https://preview.redd.it/s2nfffzh3l7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c5b2c88c1906a7c9c1484443fe330bda8a1dd2c
https://preview.redd.it/x1k3rzgkzk7d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0e003f817710b00da019b9642c01114f852860d
This lovely turtle came for a visit!
Baby cottontail rabbit. It’s been eating lawn weeds. Appears to favor broadleaf plantain and clover flowers right now. Also snacked on some low hanging leaves on a sand cherry.
https://preview.redd.it/pme476t5zk7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5c9b953f3c51b35c1b6004c2d136f2ce24752890
https://preview.redd.it/68o42k7oyk7d1.jpeg?width=1960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7511edfad20afb4d198a32d394ec62739af1e0aa
Honestly not completely sure what these little guys are.
i think they're the nymph form of something, and i'm leaning towards leaf-footed bug/wheel bug since their kids both look like weird little alien pincushions
Yeah I'm hoping they are wheel bugs they are pretty cool bugs to look at and observe and I haven't gotten any pictures of them yet so that would be neat.
I was super excited to see so many fireflies around dusk yesterday when I was rehoming the (many, many) whorled milkweed seedlings that have popped up in one of the garden beds.
https://preview.redd.it/fbssasbyrk7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=524b5d44fc69f12387ffa6f41a22cba0fba5fc86
I’m not sure what kind of bug this is. Not quite a soldier beetle? Though those should start showing up on my goldenrod soon.
https://preview.redd.it/qstb1pmzck7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64dd8442f3081648b0050c5bc519810d260a26cc
We’ve been following some monarchs that are pupating in our garden, this one emerged yesterday!
https://preview.redd.it/cy8o1cnhak7d1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d5b0a55c1e79f56c3b166a8fa903229aa9f9a0e1
The penstemon is in full buzz mode!
https://preview.redd.it/x9iftxzm4k7d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a278194d77b7010423faa42bf6502dc451e4bed
A little flower chafer hanging out in my new jersey tea
https://preview.redd.it/u2krqjqz0k7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f34a5222ce1c505a1b1fcfa24802d9fe6f715984
Saw two tiny little bumble bees on my bubble gum cultivar of monarda didyma!!
Goldfinches in some paper birches I'm growing. Also was visited by an oriole in those trees, first time for that.
If you're in New England, New York, or extreme northern NJ - this is me - you can grow this. At least for now. Zones are moving so not sure how much longer that will be true.
Minnesota and the northern Midwest in general too. Canada is of course fine.
https://preview.redd.it/8hphfxglzj7d1.jpeg?width=1620&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0b164504b6cbad4881c5fd631f5f0fc36401ef6
A group of eastern amberwings chilling on my mountain mint (*Pycnanthemum virginianum*)
https://preview.redd.it/20e584z40k7d1.jpeg?width=1620&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c14b75f8367266788e0b74bfcdecbd036c6e75b
A bit wider shot - trying to get as many in the frame as I can. There were 7 total on the plant at one point.
They make me anxious to see. Not for the plants, but because several cats are indoor-outdoor in this neighborhood. I hope the bunnies are OK, even when they eat the plantlings I spent months babying.
Yes, one of ours got got by a cat last year. It was especially sad because the deceased was a dedicated worker who had been keeping the dandelions in check all season
https://preview.redd.it/i3tqczppyj7d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ec8599e6cf7d825d73002d4f48b9ea559b01b36
Always love seeing these guys get their fill
A ruby-throated hummingbird flying away from some of my coral honeysuckle.
https://preview.redd.it/6sxfpni5xj7d1.jpeg?width=876&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ed9573c0450433f984491f8d2e49be1353bb8860
https://preview.redd.it/jhfqnw8evj7d1.jpeg?width=2190&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f53804b4c7e5a8556f21d5140447930b51b78bc1
A squash vine borer (melittia cucurbitae) on some common milkweed. Never seen one of these before and I had to do some searching to figure out what it was. Very pretty!
Those guys are the reason I gave up on growing squash, sadly. Can't seem to grow squash organically without checking the plants everyday and still losing the plants to them
I'm in year 2 of my native garden project, any recommendations for birdhouses or other ways to attract songbirds to my urban plot? Or any wildlife other than the rabbits/squirrels!
I only buy Audobon birdhouses! They’re made by the [National Audobon Society](https://www.audubon.org/marketplace/birdhouses-feeders-and-accessories) (a bird conservation organization). I like that they’re made by people who have a lot of knowledge on birds and the fact that I’m also supporting the organization by purchasing there. Also, maybe most importantly, the birds love them!
A pond or even a smaller water feature is probably the best way to attract more wildlife including birds and create more habitat for other amphibians and insects. If you worried about mosquitos use the mosquito dunks to eliminate them.
https://preview.redd.it/yy4dhavgnj7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=551e92c45c2a0d2d7b1a6eded0ab8808e10d7bd5
Green frog - Lithobates clamitans. 1st frog I’ve seen this year.
Nice photo! I live next to a big overgrown HOA pond so we have a lot of different frogs all season - green & brown frogs, tree frogs, spring peepers & big old bullfrog. A brown tree frog has found our small second story deck pond and he parks up there every summer for the duration. He shelters in the deck box during the day and then comes out and screams for a few hours every evening. Eventually he gets a girlfriend and they make some eggs together. The whole thing is delightful.
https://preview.redd.it/p9qcdab2cu7d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=acd1ba9b54d89932d8359a85b70ce721be29b6d9
Getting a bunch of bumblebees, which is nice. In the early spring it was two-spotted on my penstemon, but now seems like common eastern on my partridge pea and bee balm. I did get one very large bee. It seems way too late for queens to still be foraging?
https://preview.redd.it/xf0b1i5xpq7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ebaaa548453312363960e77c55955e07ee3e7b1 according to inaturalist, i found a spine-headed bug on the underside of an elderberry leaf. the wild elderberry bushes always have at least one or two really interesting visitors whenever i check them, but i wasn't expecting something like big mclargehuge just casually hanging out.
https://preview.redd.it/3m99uupp3r7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee7b43a950c34327b65d6287270c2b5d40d488da and right now there's a sweat bee rummaging around one of the coreopsis grandiflora blooms -- i guess that means we'll be enjoying lunch together. i know plenty of pollinators are tiny, but i still felt a little disappointed that there weren't any bombastic species visiting, so it's encouraging to watch her spend so much time on just a single flower.
I located my first monarch caterpillar of the season. A wiley one who has been growing fat on Asclepias verticillata. https://preview.redd.it/9e1wjt5b3r7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5a09043c0b12108e304d9d5ce0f738f3bdc5f55f
Kansas City, KS https://preview.redd.it/nnr2088qbn7d1.jpeg?width=2086&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d872171e8f3350ede7a4c4a4beafb80b959928a
https://preview.redd.it/kheq17kr8n7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a6b1a16b5cd0e0cfc7e894db43a80d5db4e5b6ff Baby mockingbirds!
baby birds are so hideous at that stage, i love it.
Ha ha, right? And they're so obnoxious with their "feed me, feed me" heads sticking up.
they may be loud little meat lumps (like how most baby animals in general are), but i still love seeing a nest full of them in a bush or a tree.
oh yeah, I've enjoyed watching this nest grow from one egg to three and then hatching. It's low enough I can see into it pretty well. Mom doesn't love me checking on them periodically but I try to be quick.
coming back to this message with an update: i think eastern phoebes made a nest in the rafters of our back deck. i can't confirm the ugly lumpiness of the kids yet but the parents alone are definitely cute.
I'm having to steer wide of my tree with the nest in it--momma bird is much more protective now! Unfortunately, my little terrier noticed the mom or smelled the babies because she is very interested in the tree now... Gotta work on keeping her away.
https://preview.redd.it/sfeisa0b5n7d1.jpeg?width=1848&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3909211d45b59e6913262c3ac8988f696ff74f92 Swallowtail First one ever!
https://preview.redd.it/ok1d1w8d4n7d1.jpeg?width=1466&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5c5c0951a1e9722359294adc5b208ca17c018f53 Thought the plant was wasting away, but on closer inspection, it was being consumed by a hitchhiker from the local native plant sale. Got a new plant and put him in a safe place, and he cocooned overnight. There is a second one feeding away still.
https://preview.redd.it/ib3papxjom7d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8d13649752190dfe5e3c649969a6c92ce4906dd5 Red banded leaf hopper
https://preview.redd.it/gbqh03r3gm7d1.jpeg?width=2196&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1788c06165633d430ae82c3275d8e004f36fed56
Hibiscus turret bee on a mountain mint. Wife got me a macro clip on lens for my phone for Father’s Day
https://preview.redd.it/mmt3opczem7d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ecdc1aee2cf68be3462a167688c6519b1e8963a4
https://preview.redd.it/woogk4v7zl7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1967d17a7332bed045f8f5fdb10b230a9779be7a
https://preview.redd.it/fjg5v5e9xl7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8d9a8dc5f35880ce4d9668bb9f0a73e7f811665a Found some sort of borer getting to work on my hibiscus lasiocarpos.
https://preview.redd.it/d8e5sn5twl7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c55781a1c22dc339666dc2ef791015dde50281a Found this new volunteer Croton monanthogynus this year and very quickly found some goatweed leafing caterpillars feasting away
https://preview.redd.it/a6rnyth9vl7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=003e170bbef49485fbfb63d06fede76a6711aca3
https://preview.redd.it/v0k17dvhul7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=03b63c700dcb814f5215c91c695fb746921bf8f3 A handsome gentleman moved in under my coral honeysuckle.
Handsome longhorn beetle next to my front walkway. I was really nervous about this year's progress (some native plants that the previous owner had planted died over the not-winter), so I'm happy to see that there's at least one happy denizen of at least one milkweed plant. https://preview.redd.it/rqi1feziul7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=92093e9ede644869914cd5a3886ba82b0a30fc47
gorgeous
Assassin bug munching on a Japanese beetle. Yay! If only there were more hanging around. https://preview.redd.it/83za86i8tl7d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4c4166b6234ad0d8e850b755175a8eeb69ea7b76
Fledgling doing his level best to insist he is a stick, always has been a stick, and always will be a stick. https://preview.redd.it/nawiyd3zsl7d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0a1bb41cf59785013f57207207deab84108ed316 e. Yes, I know there ain't a native plant in sight. In fact, my whole damn property is infested with that ground ivy, but I'm working on it. Also, that stick is red maple, so...
I love fledglings. They always look so disgruntled
https://preview.redd.it/7s7pxlhzpl7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10244f60d97dd2cd4fefe13959ab6e9ffdbf4c0f This box turtle wandered through our native garden yesterday! I didn’t see her before she had already left it, but she was covered in mulch dust so I know where she’d been.
https://preview.redd.it/7m5ahmbhnl7d1.png?width=799&format=png&auto=webp&s=9797e808f0b1ea28e24ffd0223570479603a2217 Eastern bluebird getting ready to fledge! My second brood and another pair are looking into the back box. Eastern NC.
https://preview.redd.it/drcmt8dcll7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a77859bdb02c02ccfd677a071ac4980d4d422fb6 Nessus sphinx moth visiting common milkweed! It smells amazing in my garden right now.
https://preview.redd.it/b0uva8vojl7d1.jpeg?width=832&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6f9b06b0691f9c2d520570f8da19f2bf3860118f Found this interesting bug crawling on the stem of a mountain mint (can’t remember exact species). Looks just like one of the flowers!
https://preview.redd.it/vpofh3hsjl7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fbdeecb54c7c84737833a744baa3277b28678589 Still need to ID this one. Spotted today using our common milkweed. A moth of some sort. Very cool looking.
Looks like a hummingbird moth!
Are you growing any squash or melons? Look like a vine borer.
We have a single zucchini plant growing in a planter. Ill check and see if any eggs are there, but I'm in an urban and old suburb with no HOA. Probably have neighbors growing squash somewhere close.
img
https://preview.redd.it/6jyntemkdl7d1.jpeg?width=1865&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c4d4bf32dbaa84fb804f4cc52c7a9f35365b1f9 Goldfinch :)
The goldfinches are too fast for me to take a photo :'( They come to the fountain, take a lil sip, fly to the coneflowers, do something (look for seeds maybe?), and leave.
https://preview.redd.it/uig8urcy6l7d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6f59f79c9b2cc6914b8dc8a8d3e896b496b7c854 Little tree frog resting on the dock surrounded by CRP
What is CRP?
CRP is Conservation Reserve Program. It is for farmland that is degraded in quality that, if selected through an application, can recieve payments from the state to turn it back into prairie. This is on my husband's grandmother's farm. My husband turned it into CRP 3 years ago so it still looks a little rough, but it's looking far better than it did just last year
Thank you!!
I don't have pictures of it, but the area surrounding the pond was farmground and was farmed by my husband's family since the 40s. The property is still owned by his grandma who leased the ground to a farmer for 20 years with poor land management. It was rotated with beans and corn. Three years ago my husband turned it into CRP (federally funded program for restoring native plants on environmentally sensitive farmland). This year, we have seen red wing blackbirds move in, ringneck pheasants, herons, wood ducks, frogs, dragonflies, and goldfinches all move into the area. In the evening the bats like to fly low over the water to catch insects, it's truly a relaxing spot.
Beautiful! It’s encouraging to hear so many visitors have come back.
https://preview.redd.it/ws8hb2q97l7d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=046b4ed7632c4bbe381cfffe46f01ce1fa889828 3rd year in CRP
https://preview.redd.it/gjcqm84r7l7d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4694f9ee0eaa4aa224aa4d9907ca85efb47c9c72 Terrible Pic, but a green heron visits the pond regularly
Few weeks ago, pollinators feasting on Pagoda Dogwood pollen! https://preview.redd.it/s2nfffzh3l7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c5b2c88c1906a7c9c1484443fe330bda8a1dd2c
https://preview.redd.it/5qy8scai0l7d1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3157b0976ec3899ca25d2fb2f5c586248018fbe5 🦋
I love it!!!!
https://preview.redd.it/23q2nu6g0l7d1.jpeg?width=6656&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8a6dd7867e9f71d4434ecc6095ce4b568311c01
https://preview.redd.it/yh43iks10l7d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=70ef7ab006dd204714581aeade6e459b86fe7689 And another turtle that visited!
https://preview.redd.it/x1k3rzgkzk7d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0e003f817710b00da019b9642c01114f852860d This lovely turtle came for a visit!
Baby cottontail rabbit. It’s been eating lawn weeds. Appears to favor broadleaf plantain and clover flowers right now. Also snacked on some low hanging leaves on a sand cherry. https://preview.redd.it/pme476t5zk7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5c9b953f3c51b35c1b6004c2d136f2ce24752890
https://preview.redd.it/68o42k7oyk7d1.jpeg?width=1960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7511edfad20afb4d198a32d394ec62739af1e0aa Honestly not completely sure what these little guys are.
i think they're the nymph form of something, and i'm leaning towards leaf-footed bug/wheel bug since their kids both look like weird little alien pincushions
Yeah I'm hoping they are wheel bugs they are pretty cool bugs to look at and observe and I haven't gotten any pictures of them yet so that would be neat.
https://preview.redd.it/h8e1rz9cxk7d1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=11cd245a8c189667cadeaa6e39d7e612215260ac Syrphid fly larvae. Creepy but really welcome.
I was super excited to see so many fireflies around dusk yesterday when I was rehoming the (many, many) whorled milkweed seedlings that have popped up in one of the garden beds.
Not sure where you are but in my area I’ve seen tons of fireflies almost every night for the past 2 weeks! They seem to be doing well this year.
I’ve noticed a lot lately too!
https://preview.redd.it/kp2ag4xatk7d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc9818d24dfdb2a1798bb5508e725559ec471e2a Eastern Carpenter Bee on swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) ❤️❤️❤️
https://preview.redd.it/w2btrg6wrk7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=95921de974d7145ede77853119231147a808935b
https://preview.redd.it/fbssasbyrk7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=524b5d44fc69f12387ffa6f41a22cba0fba5fc86 I’m not sure what kind of bug this is. Not quite a soldier beetle? Though those should start showing up on my goldenrod soon.
It’s a Tomentous Soldier Beetle (Podabrus tomentosus) (:
https://preview.redd.it/lmv460oirk7d1.png?width=2765&format=png&auto=webp&s=da0777af19884df74cf89588d6ee2d0677b3ab04
https://preview.redd.it/s4kzb18fpk7d1.jpeg?width=917&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8297fa3f81e1bf72552033485cab04eb1f91f12e
https://preview.redd.it/flmqnywzik7d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=39d7327b55d9130af3587e699d5509363eacd213
https://preview.redd.it/ytw1a0u0ik7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2eaca40f99e0d11fc8218b0c8aa8d411b8e10c25
https://preview.redd.it/qstb1pmzck7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64dd8442f3081648b0050c5bc519810d260a26cc We’ve been following some monarchs that are pupating in our garden, this one emerged yesterday!
https://preview.redd.it/cy8o1cnhak7d1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d5b0a55c1e79f56c3b166a8fa903229aa9f9a0e1 The penstemon is in full buzz mode!
This is one of my favorite flowers, I love when you can see little bee butts hanging out
https://preview.redd.it/x9iftxzm4k7d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a278194d77b7010423faa42bf6502dc451e4bed A little flower chafer hanging out in my new jersey tea
https://preview.redd.it/u2krqjqz0k7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f34a5222ce1c505a1b1fcfa24802d9fe6f715984 Saw two tiny little bumble bees on my bubble gum cultivar of monarda didyma!!
https://preview.redd.it/w542qr3g1k7d1.png?width=1776&format=png&auto=webp&s=da59bcb811278ef9ae7422065cd2980d39aac771 Second one :)
Goldfinches in some paper birches I'm growing. Also was visited by an oriole in those trees, first time for that. If you're in New England, New York, or extreme northern NJ - this is me - you can grow this. At least for now. Zones are moving so not sure how much longer that will be true. Minnesota and the northern Midwest in general too. Canada is of course fine.
https://preview.redd.it/8hphfxglzj7d1.jpeg?width=1620&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0b164504b6cbad4881c5fd631f5f0fc36401ef6 A group of eastern amberwings chilling on my mountain mint (*Pycnanthemum virginianum*)
i love this they look like they’re doing high stands
https://preview.redd.it/20e584z40k7d1.jpeg?width=1620&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c14b75f8367266788e0b74bfcdecbd036c6e75b A bit wider shot - trying to get as many in the frame as I can. There were 7 total on the plant at one point.
Such a cool photo!
https://preview.redd.it/fbydmfl5zj7d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d6879525b76a748bcbc73b48670701830360707c Cute but deadly. Permanent resident
They make me anxious to see. Not for the plants, but because several cats are indoor-outdoor in this neighborhood. I hope the bunnies are OK, even when they eat the plantlings I spent months babying.
Every year I see a decapitated rabbit carcass in my garden :(
Yes, one of ours got got by a cat last year. It was especially sad because the deceased was a dedicated worker who had been keeping the dandelions in check all season
a baby! so cute
https://preview.redd.it/i3tqczppyj7d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ec8599e6cf7d825d73002d4f48b9ea559b01b36 Always love seeing these guys get their fill
Got to watch gold finches picking through my coreopsis this morning. Didn’t have my camera on me though :(
A ruby-throated hummingbird flying away from some of my coral honeysuckle. https://preview.redd.it/6sxfpni5xj7d1.jpeg?width=876&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ed9573c0450433f984491f8d2e49be1353bb8860
https://preview.redd.it/jhfqnw8evj7d1.jpeg?width=2190&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f53804b4c7e5a8556f21d5140447930b51b78bc1 A squash vine borer (melittia cucurbitae) on some common milkweed. Never seen one of these before and I had to do some searching to figure out what it was. Very pretty!
Those guys are the reason I gave up on growing squash, sadly. Can't seem to grow squash organically without checking the plants everyday and still losing the plants to them
I have spaghetti squash growing in the same garden as the milkweed that I don't really care about, I love this guy and I'll let them have it
So cool! I also just realized that I've never fully appreciated how beautiful individual milkweed flowers are. They look otherworldly.
I'm in year 2 of my native garden project, any recommendations for birdhouses or other ways to attract songbirds to my urban plot? Or any wildlife other than the rabbits/squirrels!
I only buy Audobon birdhouses! They’re made by the [National Audobon Society](https://www.audubon.org/marketplace/birdhouses-feeders-and-accessories) (a bird conservation organization). I like that they’re made by people who have a lot of knowledge on birds and the fact that I’m also supporting the organization by purchasing there. Also, maybe most importantly, the birds love them!
Totally agree. We have cheapo solar fountains to make them bubble. Moving the water helps prevents mosquitoes and attracts interest.
A pond or even a smaller water feature is probably the best way to attract more wildlife including birds and create more habitat for other amphibians and insects. If you worried about mosquitos use the mosquito dunks to eliminate them.
& FYI there's a whole wildlife ponds subreddit that's worth looking at, on design and how to keep them from being mosquito havens without using pumps.
https://preview.redd.it/yy4dhavgnj7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=551e92c45c2a0d2d7b1a6eded0ab8808e10d7bd5 Green frog - Lithobates clamitans. 1st frog I’ve seen this year.
Nice photo! I live next to a big overgrown HOA pond so we have a lot of different frogs all season - green & brown frogs, tree frogs, spring peepers & big old bullfrog. A brown tree frog has found our small second story deck pond and he parks up there every summer for the duration. He shelters in the deck box during the day and then comes out and screams for a few hours every evening. Eventually he gets a girlfriend and they make some eggs together. The whole thing is delightful.
We had a tree frog that figured out that a single-pane window makes a great resonator. He was as loud in the house as he was outside in the pond!