For the Birds

I heard another bird that sounded like a robin but not. I knew it wasn't a Summer Tanager because it didn't have that now familiar melody. So I searched the treetops and looky there! A Scarlet Tanager! I'd seen just a few of these beauties up north but not on my property. They obviously like the woods and I didn't have that habitat there. He was sneaky and at a distance so it wasn't an easy shot.I'm at the bottom of their breeding range, so we'll see if they stick around this summer. And for the non-shy abundant bird, here is one of my two male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds keeping an eye on his feeder. They really enjoy a good fight and sometimes...can be a little rude! I really don't think that is necessary!

A very short trip

Yesterday Morgan and I went to take pictures of a view we found on Sunday while we all took the time to jump on the motorcycles for a fun ride.

This shot was unexpected as we took a turn before heading down the mountain. There is a row of houses with this incredible view. Sorry about he blown out shots, it was a very sunny day. I didn't want to get out of the car! I know it would be perfectly fine but it was really at an incline and taking my foot off the brake was not an option for someone with a fear of heights!
Lake Guntersville facing south.Now we are in Guntersville facing north. I will have to check the map, that may be my mountain. Morgan snuck as close to these two male mallards as she could without disturbing them.It was a beautiful day and so very close to home.

Gardening 101

I am a gardener wantabe.

I have the gardening bug, but may times I get lazy near the halfway mark of the season. But for now I'm all about flowers. I feel this year I'm a little late on getting started but, HEY, I just got here so I'm playing catch up.

I bought some butterfly attracting flowers like lantana and verbena from the garden centers, a couple bags of "Miracle Grow" potting soil, a few other pleasing plants and began my work. I have two large pots that I got for about $2.00 each at Home Depot super sale two seasons ago.

They just wanted to get rid of them, and my friend Joan and I just happened to be there at the right time. Instead of filling them up with dirt, I gathered up all the fillers I could find to replace the dirt that would be heavy and wasted. I found some Styrofoam from boxes not yet tossed. I used plastic bags to keep the dirt from falling through. I have used landscape fabric before but didn't have any here.All the things I normally recycle made good fillers. I left at least 6 inches for potting soil.Figured out where my plants would sit, and of course my best friend was handy in case I needed anything. That looks like it'll work. We'll see how they fill out and hope the butterflies like them too!

Daniel's gonna LOVE this one!

While in the midst of moving to Alabama I searched for some nice blogs from the area and one that I came across turned out to be an invaluable resource and FUNNY at the same time. Now who can make creepy crawly things funny? Daniel from "Nature at Close Range" http://www.natureatcloserange.com/

This one's for you Daniel!Now I am not a talented researcher like Daniel so I'm going to leave that to the expert, but I knew this must be a type of Jumping Spider and found it to be "thiodina sylvana".

I was on the phone with my mom, camera in hand, when this tiny fellow took a likin to me. I thought something seemed a little uncomfortable as he gave me the eye(s).

Next thing I knew he dove to my pant leg as I nearly dropped the phone and let out a little squeak of resentment. I think I scared him more than me, because when I looked again he was back on his perch looking just as angry.

This picture was from right before the leap. Can you see the intent in his eyes?

This photo was heavily cropped, and slightly filtered with saturation and sharpness.

I just love this little guy...just not up close and personal.
I'd rather leave that work to Daniel!

A Different Kind of Sunrise

I may not be able to see the sun come up anymore...but that doesn't make it any less beautiful!

Banded Hairstreak

I took some advice from my friend Roy, The Fenland Walker, http://fenlandwalker.blogspot.com/ on using my G9 for good butterfly photos. Make sure you check out his blog, if you haven't yet, for a real treat.My little subject was getting some sun and I noticed not too concerned about me. So I thought I'd try to make a new friend. We had tea and crumpets!!

Thanks Roy!!!

A Home Warming Surprise!

Yesterday I was "chatting" on line with my good friend Jenny Wren from "Wren's Nature Notebook", but little did I know she'd been plotting! We said our good-byes...she off to watch an evening nature show on the tellie (what else would she watch) and I off to the mailbox oblivious of her scheming. There was a note there that said "you have a package too big for the mailbox" so off I went to retrieve my mail. When I saw the package with the Royal Post mark on it, I knew that Jenny Wren had been up to something as usual.

There inside was the cutest hand made card. "Quail among flowering cherry"

It was a "Design from the "Two Quail" pattern of porcelain decoration c. 1750 Adapted and handprinted by Stephen Lisney" He is a local printer and a customer of Jenny's husband Chris. (Yes Jenny I think they are close enough to Guinea's as you can get!!)There seems to be an abundance of talented craftsmen in Frome, where Jenny lives. Her husband Chris is quite the Craftsman designing and making furniture, metalwork and lighting that is traditional and timeless. Not only is he well known for his work in England and the UK but has built furniture special ordered from the United States! You can see his beautiful work here http://www.artsandcraftsdesign.com/home.html

truely all works of art.

Thank you Jenny and Chris...and Poppy too, for this lovely sunflower to brighten my everyday!

Around the Gardens

I have so much to learn about my new gardens. Every plant I had in the yard at my previous home I put there, except for the wild hawthorns. It is amazing to be put into new surroundings and not know what's coming or going!I am really hoping this is a Redbud tree because I have many around my property. I missed the blooms this year and it's a new tree for me. I know I will be able to figure out most of these beautiful plants eventually but for now I'm just trying to get the house settled and keep the lawn mowed!! I was able to look up this one, it's Beautyberry Callicarpa. I knew there was one on the property and am just thrilled. I can't wait to see the beautiful purple berries later in the season!!I just love this bright pink Rose Campion, Lychnis coronaria, it is spread throughout the gardens and just seems to be a self-seeder popping up even along my driveway. Ok, here's another one I haven't figured out yet. It's in the shade near the house mixed in with the hostas. It is just beautiful in there with these small white, four petaled flowers. Some of the leaves are variegated. Between learning new plants and new critters, everyday is just a wonderful surprise!

Summer Tanager

My 'everyday' bird here!

A Fern and a Surprise

Last week my good friend Jenny from "Wren's Nature Notebook" http://wrensnaturenotebook.blogspot.com/ posted a beautiful fern in her garden. I told her that I had picked up a Japanese Painted Fern at my local flower stand. She asked me to post it "please" as we all know Jenny is very polite!!Sorry it took so long Jenny Wren!

Then on Friday as I was sitting on my front stoop enjoying the sunshine, I heard a rustling in the bush in front of me...
and this Luna Moth just plopped to the ground!! He fluttered for a few minutes and then just flew off! Must have just came out of his cocoon!!
Lucky me! Look at those "eyes"!!