We have an indecisive Hummingbird. Should she go with the tall bloom stalk or the one with bigger, newer flowers?
A first for the garden is spectacular Fiery Searcher Caterpillar Hunter Beetle (Calosoma scrutator) unearthed while installing some new plants. So gorgeous and listed as an ally in the garden because it only eats caterpillars which damage food crops like tomatoes and squash.
Apparently ancient Egyptians used the Dung Beetle as scarab jewelry though I might be more inclined to go with this beauty. There were two of them and they were carefully returned to the planting bed.
Queen Butterflies stick it out in our hot summers while their cousins the Monarchs have flown north to cooler climates.
There were plenty of wildflowers in May to keep the bees busy.
Buzzzzz, hurry up before the deer lop off that Hesperaloe bloom.
Juvenile Caracara or Mexican Eagle has fledged. It walked around for a few minutes then flew away to safety. I did keep watch after seeing reports on the neighborhood website that some Caracara needed rescuing because they weren't yet flying. We have excellent resources here with wildlife volunteers and rescue groups available to answer questions or even pick up animals needing assistance.
Gray Foxes have been frequent visitors during recent hot dry days. It's been especially dry and we place small buckets of water around the garden for all manner of creatures. Foxes have displayed little wariness of us as they wander through during daylight hours and curiously pause to watch me work. Gray Foxes are native to North America and a delight to host in the garden.
A delicate spider web on Agave Cornelius.
Fawns are arriving in the neighborhood this week though we have not seen any yet.
Visit Tina at "My Gardener Says...." for a bird parade and check the comments for more blogger's posts on wildlife in the garden.
Wow! You have a lot going on in your garden! I love the Caracara--I only see those if I travel south of Austin. Your pollinator shots are wonderful, especially those in flight. And the fox! I miss the ones that were in our neighborhood a few years back. Do you have yours year-round?
ReplyDeleteThey seem to be here most of the time. I think there is a pair living just behind the fence a few yards. When they leave they keep looking back to make sure I don't follow.
DeleteYour wildlife posts are always wonderful, Shirley, and this one didn't disappoint. What a range you covered! As I suddenly seem to have a rabbit problem and as several people have said what I need is a resident fox, I was quite envious of yours.
ReplyDeleteWe have no bunnies here due to foxes and coyotes. A friend who lives nearby would like me to give the foxes her address as well. Foxes are adaptable to urban/suburban settings so you just might see one especially if the rabbit population keeps increasing.
DeleteYou always capture wonderful wildlife shots!
ReplyDeleteLove your wildlife Wednesday’s and the beautiful photos! Even though we live in a rural neighborhood not too far from you and see lots of wildlife on our property, it’s still always a treat for me to see what your “roundup” of critters will be. I can only imagine what a thrill folks who live in more suburban areas must get from your photos! I look forward to all your posts...what a great blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and enjoying my blog Judy. Most readers are surprised when they visit for the first time and are expecting a more rural setting. We are surrounded by commercial development and expressways which does make the abundant wildlife even more special.
DeleteGreat post, Shirley. You have so much fun wildlife in your garden. You know how I feel about that sweet hummingbird photo/video! :)
ReplyDeleteShirley, You have so much wildlife in your garden. I think I need to adopt a gray fox thanks to your post. They are ridiculously cute.
ReplyDeleteThey are sweet garden visitors. I have read about people treating them as pets which we carefully avoid in all our wildlife visitors. We even see the same birds over and over so it would be easy to think of them as "ours" but they all belong in the wild as much as possible.
DeleteHi Shirley, lovely photos of so many different types of creatures in your garden. That grey fox is beautiful, I am so envious of you right now! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue, best wishes on your move and I know you'll be looking for a new home with wildlife access.
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