Georgia Backyard Nature

Blackberry Lily

July is the month for Lilies! This is a Blackberry Lily, also known as a Leopard Lily. The orange spotted blooms are only about 2 inches in diameter, much smaller than other summer Lilies. I’d never heard of Blackberry Lilies before I saw them on a nursery web site. Later I learned that they’ve been around for a long time. In fact, Thomas Jefferson grew them at Monticello. Care is the same for other Lilies—plenty of sun and good moisture. I love finding new flowers and the Blackberry Lily is a great addition to the garden.

 

Bee Balm

 

The Bumblebees are swarming the Bee Balm. This hardy perennial is also known as Bergamot and comes in a wide variety of colors. No matter what the color, it’s a magnet for Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds. This Bee Balm plant languished in another part of the yard for years and never bloomed. I moved it to the sunny front yard and it came alive! I’ve ordered more Bee Balm in other colors so the pollinators will be even happier next year. So will I!

Stuffed Snake!

 

Lasr week after the rain, the wind died down but I saw small ripples next to a clump of grass in the marsh pond. I thought it might be a turtle but the binoculars revealed the gruesome sight of a fat Bullfrog about to become a snake’s dinner. I watched as the snake labored to swallow the frog whole.He did it though!

The frog offered no resistance because he had either died from fright or was paralyzed with fear. During the ordeal the ducklings arrived and Mama Duck sized up the scene immediately. The whole crew watched from the bank and after the snake finished his meal and slipped underwater they still would not venture in. I don’t blame them.

Too bad a Heron or a Hawk didn’t come by to turn the tables on the snake. I sent a photo to a friend whose son knows snakes and he identified it as a nonvenomous Banded Water Snake. I know that water snakes, Copperheads, and Water Moccasins live in the marsh but would rather they stay hidden and have dinner out of sight!

Runaway Dove

You’ve heard of the Runaway Bride who escaped from her own wedding, but how about a Runaway Dove? This snowy fellow has been hanging around a subdivision where friends live. They were mystified by the lone White Dove foraging around empty lots. However, a neighbor pointed out that a popular wedding venue is nearby and they often release doves to celebrate the nuptials. Apparently, this dove decided to escape the wedding scene and seek his fortune elsewhere much to the delight of the neighborhood.

Grandfather's Favorite Rose

This red climbing rose was my Grandfather’s pride and joy. My mother rooted several cuttings from his and they grew gloriously in her yard along a fence. She rooted this one for me and I treasure it. Several years ago I talked to my landscaper about some changes to this flower bed. He proposed moving the two rose bushes to another spot and adding a different shrub. When I explained the red rose’s lineage and sentimental value, he quickly came up with another plan because he realized it was too dear to risk moving.

A Day for Ducks!

A day for Ducks! Proud Mama Duck came to the backyard today to show off her ten precious ducklings. How cute is this brood? Ducklings are an unruly bunch, scattering in all directions, oblivious to the dangers that lurk. For this reason it was hard to count them until I got this pic. It seems a little early for ducks to nest.  In past years, they've shown up in mid-May and June, but of course, these cute creatures are welcome anytime.  Mama will have a hard time keeping up with this bunch but most duck Mothers seem to take caring for their young in stride. Congrats!!

Spring Snowball Viburnum

Spring Snow!  The Snowball Viburnum is glorious this year!  It’s at least 12 twelve feet tall and loaded with big mop head blooms which resemble those of hydrangeas.  The flowers start out a crisp lime green and gradually turn white. This Snowball was originally planted in another spot where it failed to thrive. I moved it to the sunnier front yard and it became the glorious shrub it is today.

Terrifying Turkey Vulture aka A Buzzard

I saw this big Turkey Vulture, or Buzzard, flying over the lake this morning looking for the carcass of some poor animal. Finding nothing, he landed in the top of a tall tree across the lake and perched there with wings outspread. This is a common behavior for these birds and may be to warm up, cool off, or dry the wings.  Turkey Vultures are easily distinguished from other Vultures by their featherless red head.  Also, notice the five feather "fingers" on the wing tips.  Even though the dietary habits of Vultures are pretty disgusting, they serve a valuable purpose in nature and are often more efficient than county road crews in removing dead animals from the roads.

There Will Be Bluebirds!

There will be Bluebirds! I switched the bird box from winter roost to nest box last week. Almost immediately Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird checked it out. Now I see a flurry of activity with the couple flying to and fro carrying nesting materials. Even though it’s been so wet I haven’t had time to put out pine straw for them to use, they’ve located some nearby. Other tasks have been done.  The bird box pole has been greased with petroleum jelly so ants won't invade the nest and torture the nestlings and a cache of luxurious Alpaca hair hangs in a nearby tree to line the nest. 

Bluebirds like to nest in open areas so they can spot predators and this box looks over the lake and the treeless backyard.  In years past, Chickadees have commandeered that box so I'm glad the Bluebirds got there first this year.  Welcome to the cozy lakefront cottage—prime real estate to raise a family!

Quiet Quince

  The little flowering Quince is tucked under the big Camellia in the side yard. It has struggled over the years because I don’t think it gets enough sun. However, every spring it manages to put out a few pretty coral blossoms.  I’m going to fertilize it and do a little pruning and hope to see more flowers next year.

Heralding Hellebores

The Lenten Roses, or Hellebores, certainly live up to their name. Blooming right on schedule to herald the beginning of Lent, these evergreen shade perennials bring variations of pink, purple, and white to liven up the winter garden.

Warlike Warbler

Warlike Warbler. You’ve seen the famous “Angry Bluebird” photo, now see the Angry Warbler. Doesn’t he look like he’s ready to go to war? This Yellow Rumped Warbler has discovered the mealworm feeder and waits in the Hawthorn tree for the bigger birds to leave, then nips in to steal a treat. Although these birds prefer insects, in winter their diet shifts to mostly fruit. Unless of course the Warbler discovers a daily cache of mealworms! Sweet!

Love and Repentance

 

Today is both Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday, the first time since 1945 that they occur on the same day. For some the dichotomy of the two days causes a dilemma, but not in the garden. Despite being battered by ice, snow, and frigid temps, the double crimson Camellia burst into bloom on schedule. This lovely red flower serves as tribute to love as well as a reminder of Ash Wednesday obligations.

Lemony Lenten Rose or Heavenly Hellebore

Lent begins in a few days so the Hellebores, or Lenten Roses, should be in full bloom soon. Most of these shade-loving evergreen perennials come in hues of pink, lavender, white, and purple.  I had no idea that they could be yellow, but I spotted this one at the garden center last year.  There was only one lonely plant left, so of course I didn't hesitate to bring it home. It's the first Hellebore to bloom this year.  The plant is still quite small but I’m thrilled to have even a few sunny blooms.

Winter Widgeons

 

Winter Widgeons. Yesterday was a day for ducks. Lots of rain made the lake high. Mergansers and Mallards enjoyed the rain but the highlight was a visit from a small flock of American Widgeons. I rarely see them in winter because they usually spend the cold months in Florida and Central America. Maybe the Widgeons didn’t hear the Groundhog’s prediction and are heading back to Canada expecting an early Spring. I hope they don’t leave right away and dabble in our lake for a while.

Georgia's Groundhog Delivers Disappointing News!

It's a sunny day here, meaning our Georgia groundhog, General Beauregard Lee, saw his shadow which delivered the disappointing news that we can expect six more weeks of winter. So did his Northern cousin, Punxsutawney Phil. Weather prognostication based on a big rodent seeing his shadow or not seems odd for modern times, but Groundhog Day has been good fun for over 125 years. By the way, Phil's accuracy is rated at just under 40 percent, while Georgia's Beau is about 60 percent. Either way, winter isn't over yet!

http://www.ajc.com/news/local/groundhog-gen-beauregard-lee-sees-shadow-predicts-winter-weather/e61omXybQ658sGWrlhyGSM/?&iaccess=MDFkZTY2YmItZTg1Yy00ZTUyLTlhN2EtMTM1ZTYwMDUyZDQ1fDIvMi8yMDE4IDk6Mzg6MTYgQU18ZW1haWw=

Sayonara Sycamore

 

 

Bird Breakfast!

Although yesterday's snow was only about an inch, we're now battling the ice that formed overnight from melting snow. Besides that, temps are in the teens with a wicked wind. Bird still have to forage and I felt guilty seeing my feathered friends looking for mealworms in the empty feeder. The patio steps are too treacherous to brave, so I suited up and carefully walked a few feet out of the back door to toss mealworms on the frozen birdbath. Within minutes, birds arrived to get a protein packed breakfast. Nice!

 

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a frequent visitor to the mealworm feeder.

Earthworms are hiding so the Robin makes do with mealworms.

Juncos winter here and disappear in Spring.  Love to see them in the backyard.

 

 

 

Beautiful Bufflehead

I’ve been sad that it seems fewer migratory waterfowl are visiting the lake in the last few years. However things are looking up this winter. The flock of Ring-necked ducks visits regularly along with the Mergansers. Yesterday I was thrilled to see a pair of natty ducks that haven’t visited in a long time—Buffleheads. I wish I had gotten a better picture, but they were far away. These diving ducks breed in Canada and Alaska but winter in the Southern half of the U.S. Georgia is in their winter habitat but I hope our crazy cold weather doesn’t send these beauties packing for Florida!

Ablaze Amaryllis

The frigid temps have taken their toll on the garden. The Camellia flowers are brown and shriveled and other plants are laying flat on the ground. Meanwhile inside, beautiful Amaryllis blooms ease the dullness of winter. Thanks to a wonderful gift from friends, brilliant color warms my house. The bulbs have seven open blooms, six big buds, and three stalks emerging. I’ll have spring-like flowers throughout the dreary days of winter. Nice!