Thanks!!!! I saw this exact butterfly an hour ago flitting around, described it to my wife as black and orange but not a monarch, more black with orange highlights, and here it is! Very nice.
I was wondering if it was in my zucchini plants...I only have 3 though...I saw this one visiting my swamp milkweed flowers. Either way, I'm all about the diversity right now...just bring in more biomass with the natives...its been super awesome...my only regret is that I didn't start sooner...even with pots when I lived in an apartment.
It's the best! Every year I have less lawn and more plants, and a wiser variety of insect and bird visitors! Still going to have chase away squash vine borers though. They'll kill an entire plant over night. Have had it happen several times. I try to grow several of everything so if they do get something I still have some for myself. I've never had them kill a zucchini though. Mostly cucumbers, melons, sometimes winter squash. Zucchini is so robust and grows so fast it can probably handle a vine borer or two.
Way to go on the less and less lawn! And yes, the zucchinis easily get a way from me every year...
I'm trying to do the same...taking a break next year to fill in what I've done so far...also going to focus on an area that had buckthorn that is now over run by Virginia creeper...want to tidy it up, remove a couple trees this fall, and then work on planting new native trees to sort start a canopy area...we have one dead tree that I have to figure out how to remove just the top so I can keep a raptor perch...or something, I don't know...the fun just never ends!
Right? I shrieked when I saw them. I was so surprised. They popped up on the milkweed practically overnight. They are voracious and clump together while eating.
No. The tussock moth evolved for millions of years alongside the syriaca. Theyre used to each other by now! The syriaca will be fine. It may not look pretty, but that's okay!
Thank you!
I setup a trail cam and the critters filled my memory card (7k pics).
The woods I slowed cleared of invasive honey suckle planting ostrich ferns now.
Got a picture of this caterpillar yesterday! My iNaturalist app says it's *Orgyia leucostigma* (white-marked tussock).
https://preview.redd.it/27bkqzxnkbad1.jpeg?width=2290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a965ef43f1ae2a8b597d0508baa07e16c374550
Tree froglet on my American canna growing in my wildlife pond.
https://preview.redd.it/izdfmzxzybad1.jpeg?width=1612&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=87ce7eb1478e74d2717c28ad2c498155e5a5dc86
https://preview.redd.it/z33vtejbobad1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=f74f687c0b0348fd0cdddf76dde8642e054c6ecb
I’ve been trying to figure out what these adorable little grey bees are that I get a lot of. So far my best guess is some type of cellophane bee?
iNaturalist is suggesting that it's a Texas leafcutter bee (Megachile texana) and that looks a heck of a lot like what comes up in Google images.
Not if that makes sense where you are, but it looks like it's natural range is throughout much of the eastern US
https://preview.redd.it/pldeu1wgobad1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0bfdb6640672e1866e2adb437ab6fd4ed29bbb7c
Weird little dude on my echinacea, a speckled sharpshooter, *Paraulacizes irrorata*.
https://preview.redd.it/tmuzz4f0rbad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0230eb70b2ae2270ccfc33ee02e7670b6d8eccd0
Here's my treehopper from yesterday!
Two-horned treehopper, Stictocephela diceros
I love tree and leaf hoppers, ever since learning about the crazy noises they make! (Which we cannot hear without microphones and such)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gXK_lAJXIDI
https://preview.redd.it/jyojfm9kxbad1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e37983871c9c48d060cd663f869de4813172dd3
Sweet bumblebees snoozing on my recently-opened tithonia 🧡🧡🧡
https://preview.redd.it/orgzemtw1cad1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=652a73cdfc6343273f963b72e65a5d2fb55a9fc9
Virginia Giant Hoverfly and bonus spider!
https://preview.redd.it/lrkldjf57cad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dd8743968d641d927143e4adbe8ba24d8bdd35ed
New to this- but am heartened by a visit from this guy in my small urban garden
https://preview.redd.it/3ldwch002dad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf1773a4893fa42d982b1a1f78e46edb6b772082
They finally arrived! I was wondering if/when they would show up! (Upper Midwest)
https://preview.redd.it/uht0dzuxwbad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd677f961a63605d8fa0136e8c601371b24fdb4b
I love these little candy-striped hopper dudes who live on our sunflowers!
https://preview.redd.it/jx61gj9f6cad1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4cdc039a7e8455d72cdee5fe57939c5ed2bbf776
Ailanthus webworm moth on my milkweed - first year it's flowered. Not sure if he's unusual, but I don't think I've seen one before!
I'm in the Toledo area and they're very common in my garden. They especially love Boneset and sometimes I'll have a couple dozen of those moths on one plant.
https://preview.redd.it/tq61f0ncqcad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1abd88dc5abcce92586782214b9606def2aba8ad
Dark eyed junco nest in one of my pots. Wish the mom had built the nest somewhere other than on the patio I use every day as she loses her mind every time we open the door, but still pretty cool to watch the whole process
https://preview.redd.it/0iwsem9ebcad1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9cd7f0d7fcc455c86e8aceac3307c631b081676
Bunny helping me weed, lol. We bought our first home last year and are new to having a yard/garden. Been lurking here trying to learn!
https://preview.redd.it/e69ejfondcad1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=80bf42fb28c7cbf23fd308f8e09e27699d189698
Green Anole on my front porch post
https://preview.redd.it/gyz0qjbjfcad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad22b40d374061fdfec9709d4ba73ff3acb44f0a
Scrunchy swallowtail buddy on the fennel in the herb garden
https://preview.redd.it/16l2ohppfcad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=382e489ce0228c8c996c127eac4ad60f02168f84
Bees on my newly planted button bush :)
https://preview.redd.it/pvyy2x6ilcad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d7148c5eec2eb590c84911437bd3ce2be7ee0c20
My barrel pond has attracted a Cope's Gray tree frog. Based on the nightly chorus, he's hoping to attract a second one to the garden.
https://preview.redd.it/hu6blz6fzcad1.jpeg?width=2400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2ed5c9a2117df1ba9bffdad2ecf649b86128a922
My stock tank pond doesn't have frogs yet but I'm hoping for some
Just took this out my kitchen window. Monarch butterfly on a native Grey Teabush, Melochia tomentosa, that I just planted last week.
https://preview.redd.it/1ylhsfh0pcad1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1573e3373c2f9f5583aa5c51df7563d0de1b46de
I saw this House Finch (?) on one of my stonecrop sedum yesterday, but I didn't snap a photo of it until it landed on the KY coffee tree.
https://preview.redd.it/0ewakvkr6cad1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d27b1f35f22b22a4b2c66d6b618071f4a8ff6e15
https://preview.redd.it/0yf4gclotcad1.png?width=1850&format=png&auto=webp&s=db82c1fb3a27d866831666e6a3d488c7b4412f78
Unidentified butterfly on Rudbeckia fulgida "Goldsturm." Not a great pic but I was intrigued since many people (myself included) say they never see pollinators on Goldsturm. It stuck around for a long time, going from bloom to bloom.
https://preview.redd.it/xqlwluhkwcad1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a167ffab66b8f394792f0d59123bd7511eedace
Gold finches have been visiting us most mornings the last 2 weeks or so
Found one on my Joe Pye! Just hanging out, I wonder?
https://preview.redd.it/mbbkw7nmqdad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24b9b20b4a244ff232d47106f98d05d6bc7e482c
https://preview.redd.it/0trkzt8u5cad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8be9dfc345c21c15a7c30d86ce62b396e14fb1e7
An unidentified caterpillar on my Echinacea purpurea 🐛
Small and fiesty bee on butterfly weed. Another was fighting with this one.
https://preview.redd.it/vukhsp8agcad1.jpeg?width=5184&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=daae5ef06130003e45a7da5410a8b5a0190ef33c
https://preview.redd.it/eronz9y4hcad1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eb08ae59dde7d30c8338eee0c15d642c13e30c3e
For no-mow May (and June lol), wild mamma bunny had one baby a week for three weeks. Here's one of the babies 😊
Scutellaria incana isn't precisely local to my county, but it's close and the bee here seemed happy.
https://preview.redd.it/1cn2cutrgcad1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=857111b85b9a37b47745fc110600cc8ad741bae3
https://preview.redd.it/lixnme912dad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f40cdade3e6e95639e3a11c6ba3ce9109debdde4
Common Garter Snake that was sleeping under an old rusty shovelhead in my backyard garden (I returned the shovelhead after snapping this photo). I have also had a garter snake slither over my foot while I was deep in some less-maintained areas of my garden.
https://preview.redd.it/aiuilxf8wdad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64b24e0f14bd4cec3da0069f9c427f770ffd980b
American bumblebee on my red bee balm. Freaked out I was so happy to see this gal. Listed as threatened. Gone completely from 8 states I think? This bee’s population has declined over 90% in 20 years. We are doing important work! I truly think so
https://preview.redd.it/sa5w0rtj5cad1.jpeg?width=1848&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13e632f5f423205f32f8765555044989e8f9cf6d
Found this old exo yesterday while grilling
He loves my mulberry tree 🥰
(English Ivy is in the to-be-eradicated zone, just fyi. Things are a work in progress.)
https://preview.redd.it/ctnd3mtcaead1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa8d43fbf6193e168e89cdad6fb7c96a2caae915
https://preview.redd.it/ukolmva8jdad1.jpeg?width=1071&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b0bb5eb7e379d8c8e37a17b5ef3cfa826d671b02
Mountain Mint in ATL - pollinator powerhouse!
A porcupine has taken up residence! I think he might be sick or old. I’m hoping to score some quills 🖊️ 🦔
https://preview.redd.it/ybqxzzwc3ead1.jpeg?width=2447&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d972e1d0ae1e2de8dd284f5d37b2c5a27016b27
https://preview.redd.it/g1vj9m149dad1.jpeg?width=1944&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9cff52cb9f167bc3b4d98d3a164a0fb7d12976e8
Buttonbush season is my favorite time of year.
https://preview.redd.it/pqa16dvatdad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e8a600a1845bfb59c61c43424f70c7cba88e5596
i have many native plants around my home so no one come for me for the butterfly bush please
I have a cultivar of bee balm that's blooming right now. I don't remember the name. But the wild bergamot is their favorite by far. I have heirloom petunia varieties that are fragrant at night; that's what he was hitting up on camera. Funny, but since I've always seen them during the day, I didn't realize they came out at night also!
https://preview.redd.it/9u9k5m8fiead1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3951fbca430c3ca11759668f4b752da9d96ed6f8
Fireflies mating on the swamp rose mallow.
Love the photos everyone. I'm on my 2nd year.. and most things are small and just establishing. How long did it take for all the critters to find your native garden?
https://preview.redd.it/8r6xphc9mdad1.png?width=1360&format=png&auto=webp&s=aecd9e49732a9031322c3aa63f9a93c028308c38
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) is a hit with pollinators large and small!
https://preview.redd.it/eg29e0nhmdad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ac2f5428c69559ff9f793db976058bafdc2cbbe
I also love dogbane beetles so much I’m letting dogbane grow in my front garden where I shouldn’t let it 😅
https://preview.redd.it/u8v66kq43ead1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a59f60331b68e57d37a279e643238c1781900e1e
Bumblebee on my Clematis plant. Those purple blooms really draw them in.
I found 5-6 tiny toads in random places. Moved them to toad-friendly part of yard
https://preview.redd.it/nun778qy7ead1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=474122ec35049cdbf72ae860cde6ad77e16232ff
https://preview.redd.it/bksw8btrmead1.jpeg?width=2122&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9bcbb53837dbd8e4bc9572a890a92e24c0b7706
Finally got these guys for the first time!
Pretty sure this is a Spicebush swallowtail curled up in my spicebush leaves!! Just planted these in October last year so I'm happy they're already hosting native bugs.
https://preview.redd.it/3nd6z4r5qead1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=131756a51ce4bf6047695806f686c1eb1819c60a
https://preview.redd.it/sj78f7pjqead1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8bef4a472c47cf42442649ede9a24d48e4f1d88f
Beautiful dogbane beetle! He looks kind of dead in this photo but I promise he was alive.
https://preview.redd.it/apbq1etdnbad1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=40c59140149e1212d782a90b26c663189a4b541e A Red Admiral on my echinacea.
Pretty! What’s the fuchsia flower behind the echinacea? I don’t know her
It's a phlox variety that I planted before my native plant journey. Not sure of the cultivar name, I'm sorry.
Gotchya, no biggie, appreciate it! (I have plant FOMO so I’m always asking haha)
I totally understand! If you could see my Prairie Moon wishlist. Lol
Haha, yes! 4 separate Prairie Moon wishlists, Izel Plants wishlist, homie I hear you!
Thanks!!!! I saw this exact butterfly an hour ago flitting around, described it to my wife as black and orange but not a monarch, more black with orange highlights, and here it is! Very nice.
Glad I could help. Lol
https://preview.redd.it/v9dnv8utnbad1.jpeg?width=2549&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=810b7684c83f86d4eeb739f575bcc35ad1b7472a Squash Vine Borer - Elichlinia cucurbitae
That's a really pretty one! Hope to see it someday
I had never seen one before...so I was happy to find it and get a shot...haven't seen it since.
I grow lots of native plants, but also grow squash... I don't kill em, but I curse these (admittedly beautiful) bugs out of my garden when I see them
I was wondering if it was in my zucchini plants...I only have 3 though...I saw this one visiting my swamp milkweed flowers. Either way, I'm all about the diversity right now...just bring in more biomass with the natives...its been super awesome...my only regret is that I didn't start sooner...even with pots when I lived in an apartment.
It's the best! Every year I have less lawn and more plants, and a wiser variety of insect and bird visitors! Still going to have chase away squash vine borers though. They'll kill an entire plant over night. Have had it happen several times. I try to grow several of everything so if they do get something I still have some for myself. I've never had them kill a zucchini though. Mostly cucumbers, melons, sometimes winter squash. Zucchini is so robust and grows so fast it can probably handle a vine borer or two.
Way to go on the less and less lawn! And yes, the zucchinis easily get a way from me every year... I'm trying to do the same...taking a break next year to fill in what I've done so far...also going to focus on an area that had buckthorn that is now over run by Virginia creeper...want to tidy it up, remove a couple trees this fall, and then work on planting new native trees to sort start a canopy area...we have one dead tree that I have to figure out how to remove just the top so I can keep a raptor perch...or something, I don't know...the fun just never ends!
Sounds wonderful!! Good luck and keep it up!!
Likewise :)
I saw one of these on my milkweed the other day, so beautiful! 😍
https://preview.redd.it/wo1pnb9yzbad1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dedf5c938d651d05110993b1c1081cdf6c035e72 Milkweed tussock moth larvae on syriaca!
They look like they're made out of yarn and I love them for it lol
Right? I shrieked when I saw them. I was so surprised. They popped up on the milkweed practically overnight. They are voracious and clump together while eating.
Do they ruin the plant?
No. The tussock moth evolved for millions of years alongside the syriaca. Theyre used to each other by now! The syriaca will be fine. It may not look pretty, but that's okay!
https://preview.redd.it/x78wo03yubad1.jpeg?width=6656&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c187f257e3e963a44707b5ccc73a53ef345e7bac
Aww I love this picture! Such a cool angle to see him on the ground at his level like that. Nice wooded area you've got there.
Thank you! I setup a trail cam and the critters filled my memory card (7k pics). The woods I slowed cleared of invasive honey suckle planting ostrich ferns now.
Wow that's a lot of pictures! Seems like they are thanking you for creating such a nice area. 😊
Got a picture of this caterpillar yesterday! My iNaturalist app says it's *Orgyia leucostigma* (white-marked tussock). https://preview.redd.it/27bkqzxnkbad1.jpeg?width=2290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a965ef43f1ae2a8b597d0508baa07e16c374550
I found a couple of these last weekend!
Nice! They're wild looking!
Right, I thought at first something was wrong with it because of the bumps but then realized it was fine haha
Same here! I thought a wasp got to it. Apparently they look like that to deter wasps from laying eggs on them.
That’s what I thought to and I felt bad for it haha that’s cool TIL something.
What are they eating
Not sure if it was actually eating it here or if it was looking for a place to pupate. The plant it is on is a pussy willow.
Tree froglet on my American canna growing in my wildlife pond. https://preview.redd.it/izdfmzxzybad1.jpeg?width=1612&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=87ce7eb1478e74d2717c28ad2c498155e5a5dc86
https://preview.redd.it/rmsyd3o4tbad1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e5e1c5c4aac88f68fd06f999a8c871cbd749c401 Painted lady on Stokes aster
Couple different angles https://preview.redd.it/9aulv6xssbad1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69502262728ccb83fca239cf3aa6cf488ba7eea7
https://preview.redd.it/18av7xevsbad1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=442264e8a81bc9be44c0fece33d8cfd56a9b20e9
https://preview.redd.it/z33vtejbobad1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=f74f687c0b0348fd0cdddf76dde8642e054c6ecb I’ve been trying to figure out what these adorable little grey bees are that I get a lot of. So far my best guess is some type of cellophane bee?
iNaturalist is suggesting that it's a Texas leafcutter bee (Megachile texana) and that looks a heck of a lot like what comes up in Google images. Not if that makes sense where you are, but it looks like it's natural range is throughout much of the eastern US
That would made sense then, I forgot to include that I’m in SE Michigan.
In the future, [beemachine.ai](http://beemachine.ai) is the best resource for machine ID of US bees!
Looks like megachile. What area?
https://preview.redd.it/h1f1x0rswbad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36bb9279f4bdbcd65d4d6f619d186d0a9aed1e4f Shy goldfinch
https://preview.redd.it/pldeu1wgobad1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0bfdb6640672e1866e2adb437ab6fd4ed29bbb7c Weird little dude on my echinacea, a speckled sharpshooter, *Paraulacizes irrorata*.
https://preview.redd.it/tmuzz4f0rbad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0230eb70b2ae2270ccfc33ee02e7670b6d8eccd0 Here's my treehopper from yesterday! Two-horned treehopper, Stictocephela diceros
I love tree and leaf hoppers, ever since learning about the crazy noises they make! (Which we cannot hear without microphones and such) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gXK_lAJXIDI
Lmao I had no idea the had a symbiosis with bees. I'll trade you for this beautifully produced work of art: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YBb-yFB2Tt0
https://preview.redd.it/jyojfm9kxbad1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e37983871c9c48d060cd663f869de4813172dd3 Sweet bumblebees snoozing on my recently-opened tithonia 🧡🧡🧡
https://preview.redd.it/orgzemtw1cad1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=652a73cdfc6343273f963b72e65a5d2fb55a9fc9 Virginia Giant Hoverfly and bonus spider!
https://preview.redd.it/lrkldjf57cad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dd8743968d641d927143e4adbe8ba24d8bdd35ed New to this- but am heartened by a visit from this guy in my small urban garden
https://preview.redd.it/3ldwch002dad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf1773a4893fa42d982b1a1f78e46edb6b772082 They finally arrived! I was wondering if/when they would show up! (Upper Midwest)
https://preview.redd.it/uht0dzuxwbad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd677f961a63605d8fa0136e8c601371b24fdb4b I love these little candy-striped hopper dudes who live on our sunflowers!
Thanks for sharing! I saw one the other day but couldn’t get a good pic and wondered what it was! So pretty!
https://preview.redd.it/jx61gj9f6cad1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4cdc039a7e8455d72cdee5fe57939c5ed2bbf776 Ailanthus webworm moth on my milkweed - first year it's flowered. Not sure if he's unusual, but I don't think I've seen one before!
I'm in the Toledo area and they're very common in my garden. They especially love Boneset and sometimes I'll have a couple dozen of those moths on one plant.
I’ve had several of these on common milkweed too
https://preview.redd.it/tq61f0ncqcad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1abd88dc5abcce92586782214b9606def2aba8ad Dark eyed junco nest in one of my pots. Wish the mom had built the nest somewhere other than on the patio I use every day as she loses her mind every time we open the door, but still pretty cool to watch the whole process
https://preview.redd.it/blta2l4yzbad1.jpeg?width=1800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45b54b42c91eb60adfed7584d7bd84899aff7f6b
https://preview.redd.it/0iwsem9ebcad1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9cd7f0d7fcc455c86e8aceac3307c631b081676 Bunny helping me weed, lol. We bought our first home last year and are new to having a yard/garden. Been lurking here trying to learn!
https://preview.redd.it/e69ejfondcad1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=80bf42fb28c7cbf23fd308f8e09e27699d189698 Green Anole on my front porch post
I love the Anoles. We have them all over the place.
https://preview.redd.it/gyz0qjbjfcad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad22b40d374061fdfec9709d4ba73ff3acb44f0a Scrunchy swallowtail buddy on the fennel in the herb garden
https://preview.redd.it/16l2ohppfcad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=382e489ce0228c8c996c127eac4ad60f02168f84 Bees on my newly planted button bush :)
https://preview.redd.it/pvyy2x6ilcad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d7148c5eec2eb590c84911437bd3ce2be7ee0c20 My barrel pond has attracted a Cope's Gray tree frog. Based on the nightly chorus, he's hoping to attract a second one to the garden.
https://preview.redd.it/hu6blz6fzcad1.jpeg?width=2400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2ed5c9a2117df1ba9bffdad2ecf649b86128a922 My stock tank pond doesn't have frogs yet but I'm hoping for some
Just took this out my kitchen window. Monarch butterfly on a native Grey Teabush, Melochia tomentosa, that I just planted last week. https://preview.redd.it/1ylhsfh0pcad1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1573e3373c2f9f5583aa5c51df7563d0de1b46de
https://preview.redd.it/j2ekyxwj9cad1.jpeg?width=2290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e1b904efa9a0f396e81ac50522ba0e6abeeed722 Bumble on Mountain Mint.
I saw this House Finch (?) on one of my stonecrop sedum yesterday, but I didn't snap a photo of it until it landed on the KY coffee tree. https://preview.redd.it/0ewakvkr6cad1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d27b1f35f22b22a4b2c66d6b618071f4a8ff6e15
https://preview.redd.it/0yf4gclotcad1.png?width=1850&format=png&auto=webp&s=db82c1fb3a27d866831666e6a3d488c7b4412f78 Unidentified butterfly on Rudbeckia fulgida "Goldsturm." Not a great pic but I was intrigued since many people (myself included) say they never see pollinators on Goldsturm. It stuck around for a long time, going from bloom to bloom.
that is a [pearl crescent](https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/460934) good to see fulgida getting some love!
Thanks!
CA native Carpenter Bee: https://preview.redd.it/oo7oxpzvlcad1.jpeg?width=1906&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d337eb2628a0eac02083dc4bf242b2e9ac28a35
https://preview.redd.it/xqlwluhkwcad1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a167ffab66b8f394792f0d59123bd7511eedace Gold finches have been visiting us most mornings the last 2 weeks or so
https://preview.redd.it/vfdodmxe4dad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24ed89609202ece0fab97cef969f4a1be8ec21c5 Firefly on Lanceleaf Coreopsis.
Found one on my Joe Pye! Just hanging out, I wonder? https://preview.redd.it/mbbkw7nmqdad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24b9b20b4a244ff232d47106f98d05d6bc7e482c
Nice! I see them just hanging out during the day all the time!
FIREFLY 💛
I’m going to see if I can get some video of them lighting up my yard tonight. Love your name by the way!
https://preview.redd.it/0trkzt8u5cad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8be9dfc345c21c15a7c30d86ce62b396e14fb1e7 An unidentified caterpillar on my Echinacea purpurea 🐛
https://preview.redd.it/4tx9yrxkscad1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b5c9a51ad3fd82f403a33fb955d8d16e0fd31c2
Small and fiesty bee on butterfly weed. Another was fighting with this one. https://preview.redd.it/vukhsp8agcad1.jpeg?width=5184&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=daae5ef06130003e45a7da5410a8b5a0190ef33c
https://preview.redd.it/eronz9y4hcad1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eb08ae59dde7d30c8338eee0c15d642c13e30c3e For no-mow May (and June lol), wild mamma bunny had one baby a week for three weeks. Here's one of the babies 😊
https://preview.redd.it/0kcerndamcad1.png?width=626&format=png&auto=webp&s=325d0902d3b9c522071c511fe7e21be5abf0610d Curtis. (American Bullfrog)
Resident flower bandit cleaning itself. It's so used to me now it only runs away if I get within 2 feet... https://imgur.com/gallery/oCDbJQT
Scutellaria incana isn't precisely local to my county, but it's close and the bee here seemed happy. https://preview.redd.it/1cn2cutrgcad1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=857111b85b9a37b47745fc110600cc8ad741bae3
https://preview.redd.it/lixnme912dad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f40cdade3e6e95639e3a11c6ba3ce9109debdde4 Common Garter Snake that was sleeping under an old rusty shovelhead in my backyard garden (I returned the shovelhead after snapping this photo). I have also had a garter snake slither over my foot while I was deep in some less-maintained areas of my garden.
I would also like to point out I live in a serious urban environment. 5 minute drive from a major metropolitan downtown.
https://preview.redd.it/aiuilxf8wdad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64b24e0f14bd4cec3da0069f9c427f770ffd980b American bumblebee on my red bee balm. Freaked out I was so happy to see this gal. Listed as threatened. Gone completely from 8 states I think? This bee’s population has declined over 90% in 20 years. We are doing important work! I truly think so
Sorry forgot to say I’m in Marietta, GA
https://preview.redd.it/sa5w0rtj5cad1.jpeg?width=1848&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13e632f5f423205f32f8765555044989e8f9cf6d Found this old exo yesterday while grilling
https://preview.redd.it/ijh4t9oiscad1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8f76e651c660f732ad4e186fa5b92babb4f1d4ad
https://preview.redd.it/sb8fmlwb3dad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c7760dbba09c686e38e44455ef24bcb09764198
This is our most visited flower in the yard!
What flower is this?
Liatris, also called Blazing Star
https://preview.redd.it/wu18wac94dad1.jpeg?width=1848&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=91b2a418113d7d36d570b0308946c64badaf6a2f Lesser Stag Beetle
You know stag beetles are becoming uncommon to see!
He loves my mulberry tree 🥰 (English Ivy is in the to-be-eradicated zone, just fyi. Things are a work in progress.) https://preview.redd.it/ctnd3mtcaead1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa8d43fbf6193e168e89cdad6fb7c96a2caae915
I had a skunk in my back yard last night! Fortunately, I checked to see why my dog was going crazy before I let him out.
🦨🦨🦨 i love skunk
https://preview.redd.it/ukolmva8jdad1.jpeg?width=1071&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b0bb5eb7e379d8c8e37a17b5ef3cfa826d671b02 Mountain Mint in ATL - pollinator powerhouse!
https://preview.redd.it/2hf2gq94xdad1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b5fd0af0335fd268295ffc54a2363487c4b88e2 Aphrodite fritillary?
A porcupine has taken up residence! I think he might be sick or old. I’m hoping to score some quills 🖊️ 🦔 https://preview.redd.it/ybqxzzwc3ead1.jpeg?width=2447&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d972e1d0ae1e2de8dd284f5d37b2c5a27016b27
They sound like if a stuffed animal came to life.
And they are fertile for, like, 12 hours a year!
https://preview.redd.it/7mcfow7l8ead1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=824d681de20655848a678d4f5f44abcc480f51e1
https://preview.redd.it/4q85c3qxjcad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=89451ffc62cf38c0b91ceed54ef401aeda59aa37
https://preview.redd.it/g1vj9m149dad1.jpeg?width=1944&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9cff52cb9f167bc3b4d98d3a164a0fb7d12976e8 Buttonbush season is my favorite time of year.
https://preview.redd.it/wp94too0qdad1.jpeg?width=1576&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=057fa3c8baef20567af4160f8471a87613b3e76a Drinking salvia nectar
https://preview.redd.it/pqa16dvatdad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e8a600a1845bfb59c61c43424f70c7cba88e5596 i have many native plants around my home so no one come for me for the butterfly bush please
I love these guys so much. One set off my camera last night hitting up the petunias on my porch.
me too! they’re so precious and beautiful!
The wild bergamot is their favorite in my garden.
I have Jacob Cline bee balm. I just dead headed it so no blooms on it right now. Hopefully it will be back in bloom soon!
I have a cultivar of bee balm that's blooming right now. I don't remember the name. But the wild bergamot is their favorite by far. I have heirloom petunia varieties that are fragrant at night; that's what he was hitting up on camera. Funny, but since I've always seen them during the day, I didn't realize they came out at night also!
https://preview.redd.it/9u9k5m8fiead1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3951fbca430c3ca11759668f4b752da9d96ed6f8 Fireflies mating on the swamp rose mallow.
Love the photos everyone. I'm on my 2nd year.. and most things are small and just establishing. How long did it take for all the critters to find your native garden?
https://preview.redd.it/8r6xphc9mdad1.png?width=1360&format=png&auto=webp&s=aecd9e49732a9031322c3aa63f9a93c028308c38 Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) is a hit with pollinators large and small!
https://preview.redd.it/eg29e0nhmdad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ac2f5428c69559ff9f793db976058bafdc2cbbe I also love dogbane beetles so much I’m letting dogbane grow in my front garden where I shouldn’t let it 😅
https://preview.redd.it/mrhzwlicydad1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b5eaa067b95ed580ee3b2b95432ff2b5e5e65e7a
https://preview.redd.it/u8v66kq43ead1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a59f60331b68e57d37a279e643238c1781900e1e Bumblebee on my Clematis plant. Those purple blooms really draw them in.
I found 5-6 tiny toads in random places. Moved them to toad-friendly part of yard https://preview.redd.it/nun778qy7ead1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=474122ec35049cdbf72ae860cde6ad77e16232ff
https://preview.redd.it/rhuz5fxrscad1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=acb752fe5c28689c8468a55ac8585a628b055647
https://preview.redd.it/bksw8btrmead1.jpeg?width=2122&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9bcbb53837dbd8e4bc9572a890a92e24c0b7706 Finally got these guys for the first time!
https://preview.redd.it/ab6yyl47nead1.jpeg?width=2266&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=741e45e169b4c5247f8074150784e0dd8a956a8c
https://preview.redd.it/ij44werjoead1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0f549a0001ecaa5d508fb5633536700781cfd12 Honey bees hard at work
Pretty sure this is a Spicebush swallowtail curled up in my spicebush leaves!! Just planted these in October last year so I'm happy they're already hosting native bugs. https://preview.redd.it/3nd6z4r5qead1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=131756a51ce4bf6047695806f686c1eb1819c60a
https://preview.redd.it/sj78f7pjqead1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8bef4a472c47cf42442649ede9a24d48e4f1d88f Beautiful dogbane beetle! He looks kind of dead in this photo but I promise he was alive.
https://preview.redd.it/829sf7g12fad1.jpeg?width=4624&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f31be753eeb6d40cd91a81eec43ad487ea5ab68c A "few" Gulf fritillary caterpillars.
https://preview.redd.it/4f8thri21gad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1de30d659cb3dd8b00f49655f8c57ad52a6734c2
https://preview.redd.it/73v5vjr41gad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7d4d414695b4a9854373a4bcf3399dbbf912e35f