birds – Fine for Friday

Hummingbird 29 July 2022

The weather is warm but pleasant for the last several days. Humidity levels are tolerable. The garden and plants are in full bloom. I always have several hummingbirds in the yard but I took the time to identify what was catching their fancy.

We have the ruby throated hummingbirds here. I have not seen any other species. Unfortunately, I could not capture a photo of any myself so I downloaded a photo of a pair from the internet.

This photo is from the Alabama Wildlife Federation website.

They really like the dragon wing begonia and the hardy begonia.

This torenia or wishbone flower is also a favorite.

This Rhythm and Blues Wave Petunia in a hanging basket on the deck also attracts them.

The shrimp plant and this red trumpet are also go to plants for them.

Of course, they also can find their way to the feeder.

They are delightful visitors and if you have more than one visiting, you will be entertained by the jousting tournaments in which they engage.

Happy gardening and remember to visit the propagator

Bird Project 15 July 2022

I noticed that my bluebird houses have attracted pairs of Eastern Bluebirds for the second time this year.

I have several houses at home and one at the Mens Garden.

I have followed the recommendations of the Audobon Society in building them in order to keep other birds away. I built them out of red cedar donated by a friend.

https://www.audubon.org/news/how-build-bluebird-nest-box

Bluebirds are almost exclusively insect eaters. They capture insects, crush them and feed them to their young. As you can see from the nest placement, they prefer to nest near a lawn or farmland so that they can capture insects easily.

I also inspected the trees nearby since they are abundant sources of caterpillars for the bluebirds and for other birds.

I know I have hackberry trees host to 6 different butterflies including the hackberry emperor.

I also found a shagbark hickory which is a host plant to many butterflies included the hairstreak.

In my search, I also found this in my side yard. He was perfectly still until I emerged enough to take this picture.

Finally, I hope you enjoy this Casablanca lily which just began blooming this week.

Happy gardening!

Be sure to check out the propagator

Bird Project 1 July 2022

This past week, I noticed a pair of goldfinches feeding on the liatris in my perennial bed. The male was that bright gold color. They came out of the thicket along the edge of my property where there are some pine trees and a mulberry.

I have had them come to my bird feeder in the winter but I have not seen them in the summer. It made me think about what I could do to keep them around all year.

My research showed that their diet is mostly seeds unlike the majority of songbirds.

Here are goldfinches on liatris spicata which is also known as gayfeather.

The goldfinches will also feed on the seeds from purple coneflower which grows as a native in our area.

The purple coneflower will last until frost. You can keep the seedheads on through the late fall and into winter for the finches to feed on.

Another summerlong flower that they will feed from is a zinnia. Zinnias here will bloom all summer long.

8FFDEE27-C3D5-4E5C-8BF8-CA64D8146DEF — Gold finch on zinnia

The sunflower is another good food source. Sunflowers can be left standing into the winter and the goldfinches will come to them.

37F816C2-1793-4FC1-9EBA-22C81753ED8A — Goldfinch on sunflower.

The goldfinches will feed on native grasses in the winter in our area. These will contain seeds to support them in the winter.

Thought you might enjoy seeing these limelight hydrangeas in full bloom. The goldfinches do not use birdboxes. This one is for the bluebirds. It was erected in the spring but is not presently occupied.

Switching themes, here is a photo of this colorful canna. I am not sure of the name but I think it is Tropicana

Ending today’s photos with the agastache and a Stoke’s Aster which are both showing beautiful colors in the summer.

It is Independence Day here in the USA on Monday so it is a weekend of celebration and little gardening.

Be sure to check out the propagator