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You are here: Home / Archives for Wildlife

May 11, 2022

Male and Female Birds that Look Alike – Monomorphic Birds

Blue Jay sitting on a branch

When I was young, I thought all the Blue Jays that I saw in our backyard were males. They had the crest, the bright colors, and the size of a typical male songbird. So, it just made sense to me. But I always wondered, why did I never see any female Blue Jays? What did they look like? This was my first encounter with what biologists call a monomorphic species. In terms of birds, this term describes male and female birds that look … [Read more...]

/ Wildlife / birds

December 31, 2021

5 Family Friendly Outdoor Activities

Getting outdoors to enjoy some fresh air, to get a little exercise, and to find something beautiful in nature that makes us smile can be so important. So gather up your family and get outdoors! Try one of these five outdoor activities to explore your backyard, your neighborhood, or just about anywhere! 1. Become a citizen scientist and explore the animals and plants in your backyard Your backyard is full of creatures and plants – birds, … [Read more...]

/ Butterflies, Projects and Ideas, Tips

June 23, 2020

Celebrating Pollinators – Bees, Butterflies, Birds and More

Bumblebee feeding on nectar from a purple salvia

National Pollinator Week occurs in mid- to late-June each year. The goal of this Week is to celebrate the beneficial insects, birds, and mammals that pollinate the flowers of plants that produce much of our food, maintain our ecosystems, stabilize soils, and provide wildlife habitat. It also serves to educate people about what they can do to help pollinators. Why are pollinators important? According to the Pollinator Partnership, … [Read more...]

/ Wildlife / bees, birds, butterflies, insects, pollinators

June 16, 2020

You Won’t Believe Your Eyes When You See This Giant Caterpillar

Frangipani hornworm moth caterpillars on a Plumeria tree

This is the frangipani hornworm moth also known as the giant gray sphinx moth (Pseudosphinx tetrio). It is the biggest caterpillar I have ever seen. We were walking along the streets of old San Juan in Puerto Rico when we came across a small park. I noticed the Plumeria were looking rather ragged, so I took a closer look only to find not one, but many, of these caterpillars ranging in size. The biggest one we saw was almost as long as … [Read more...]

/ Wildlife

April 17, 2020

The Puerto Rican Semi-Slug

Puerto Rican Semi-Slug on a leaf

On our vacation to Puerto Rico this past February, we had the pleasure of hiking up to the cloud forest in the El Yunque National Forest. We came across this cute little guy about halfway through our climb. I love seeing new critters and looking them up when I get home. Especially when they are as cool as this one. While it isn't found in the continental U.S., I still wanted to share it with you. This is Gaeotis flavolineata, the Puerto … [Read more...]

/ Wildlife

January 21, 2020

Give Birds Water Not Ice in Winter: Unfreeze Your Bird Bath

Frozen bird bath with bird sitting on the edge

Winter is here and the birds in your backyard are thirsty. Sure, they can get liquid from snow, but in order to process it, they have to warm it up. Birds have to expend precious calories and use the warmth of their bodies to melt the snow. When the temperature drops below freezing, how do you keep your bird bath from freezing over? Birds need fresh water even in the winter. Use these tips to keep your bird bath filled with water in liquid … [Read more...]

/ Wildlife / backyard habitat, birds, wildlife, winter

May 8, 2019

How to Help a Turtle Cross the Road

Box turtle on concrete

If you drive down a country road or through neighborhood street in the spring, you’re likely to see at least one turtle trying to cross the road and maybe even some that didn’t make it across the road. Sometimes you’ll even see them on big four-lane roads. It’s hard to see a turtle with his head and tail pulled back into his shell while cars go speeding past him. Several years back, I saw one such tiny turtle making slow progress across a … [Read more...]

/ Wildlife / wildlife

February 25, 2019

The Tiniest Among Us

Puerto Rican butterfly with large eye spot

When February arrives, I am tired of winter. Tired of the cold, dreary, gray days and tired of being stuck indoors (mostly because I can't stand to be cold, not because of any severe weather). This is when I need an escape. Enter a trip to warmer climates. Yay! Here I sit in my office chair with the remnants of a fading tan and memories of sunshine and blue skies with the sound of surf and turquoise waters. Thank you, Puerto Rico. The … [Read more...]

/ Wildlife

April 5, 2018

Early Spring Flowers for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies

Eastern tiger swallowtail on creeping phlox

This early spring sky is filled with butterflies! I am seeing so many eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies (Papilio glaucus) feeding on  colorful spring flowers that it has really brightened my days. Eastern tiger swallowtails are quite large - with a wingspan of 3 to 5.5 inches and with their bright yellow wings with blue spots, they put on quite a show. If you want to bring them to your garden, there are some early spring flowering plants … [Read more...]

/ Butterflies, Shrubs / butterflies, ground cover, native plants, shrubs, spring, spring flowers, vines

January 12, 2018

How Do Frogs Survive the Winter?

Southern Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

It was dark, warm, and humid last night when I opened my door to take my dog, Charlie, for a walk. We had to be careful not to slip on the wet cement as he went racing out to sniff the ground. We walked the block to the sound of insects and frogs singing their little hearts out. I love when we get a few warm 60-degree days in the middle of winter. It brings out a chorus of frogs singing – like a promise of spring to come. As we headed back … [Read more...]

/ Wildlife / frogs, wildlife, winter

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About Me

Welcome! My name is Kathy and I live in Georgia Zone 7B. Gardening has always relaxed and rooted me (literally!). It's my happy place. With more than 25 years of gardening, I am far from an expert, but I learn from all my experiments. This blog talks about the plants, backyard critters, and more that have made my garden special. Read More

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