Nature’s B&B
The sunflowers have opened for business attracting many customers. During the day, it is a quick take-out cafe visited by a wide variety of patrons that sample its ample supply of pollen. But as night approaches, it becomes a real B&B with many bees taking an evening rest on its numerous disc florets. They will […]
Munching monarch
The monarch butterflies have not been too plentiful this season and I feel fortunate that I spotted one feeding on our butterfly bush. As it flittered between blossoms, I wondered if I would see any more this season.
Cute caterpillars
The most common butterfly we have seen this year is the yellow swallowtail. Its distinctive yellow and black pattern is a constant in the garden flittering between the many flowers we have. But as the season wanes so will they. Now I see that a great many caterpillars have emerged, first on my celery plant […]
New pollinators
Last week our leafcutter bees arrived from @kindbeefarms. Like any expectant parent, we opened the box with anticipation and excitement. We have lots of bees (and wasps and Yellowjackets) buzzing around our gardens and hope that these new arrivals will get along with all of our other pollinators. Their new home, which is well built […]
Tasty insects
It’s midsummer and the virtual tummies of my carnivorous plants are sated with the insects of the day. Right now I have three different types of carnivorous plants: Pitcher plants (Sarracenia), Cape sundews (Drosera capensis), and Venus fly traps (Dionea muscipula). The pitcher plants sit in a bog that I build over a decade ago. […]
Busy butterflies
Though the current weather conspires against much activity outside, the pollinators are having none of that. Between the countless butterflies, moths, dragonflies, and bees, the garden is swarming with activity, sounds, and life. The coneflowers and black cohosh are particularly popular now though others like Queen Anne’s lace, black-eyed Susies, hostas and roses are not […]
Baby spiders
Between the outdoor dry sink and a window box hundreds of tiny spiders scurry around between the two. Their appearance reminds me of the final pages of Charlotte’s Web, the wonderful children’s book by E.B. White. In it, Wilber the pig is still sad over the death of his spider friend, Charlotte. But all of […]
That’s not a bee
“Do you see the size of that bee?!” exclaims the attendant at the transfer station in town. “Is that a killer hornet?!” Turning my head toward the back of the pickup holding my garbage cans, I see a huge bee at least 1.5 inches long. “I’m closing my window,” says the bearded employee, shutting it […]
Hungry, hungry caterpillars
Looking to grab some parsley for dinner, I spot a pair of black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars munching away. They have done a pretty good job at consuming the dill and coriander, leaving only skeletal remains. Approaching them, I can almost hear them crunching away. I grab a few leaves on the outskirts of the plant, […]
Pollinator meadow
On a quiet morning, the pollinator meadow at McKeon Farm in Ridgefield is full of activity.