Birds Hate It
Posted: July 16, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Backyard Critters, birdbath, Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, My Kitchen Window, Southern Gardening 7 Comments
I recently got a new birdbath. It is clear, yellow, looks great in the garden and can be seen from my kitchen window. It is a replacement for an old one, that the birds loved. As it turns out, the birds hate this one. I thought it was because of being clear, so I added some stones. Not one bird has stopped by.
The new birdbath is easy to keep clean and always has fresh water in it, but that does not seem to be enough to entice the birds. The very cute Carolina Wrens prefer a bath in this toad station that is always dirty.
Or sometimes they use the rim of the upside down fire pit when it holds water.
The wrens, Frick and Frack will even take a soak in plant saucers, which are not clean at all. Even the Cardinals prefer the water from the dirty saucers.
I found evidence of the Wrens enjoying a couples’ spa day. After a soak they finished with a mud bath in the planter (notice two dents). Sometimes we can try to do what we think wildlife would like, but it doesn’t always work out that way. I guess the new birdbath will just have to please me and not the birds.
PS I am shopping for a new one that they will like and I have another one that the rabbits and squirrels enjoy along with the birds.
Design in Nature
Posted: July 3, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Texas Star Hibiscus, Year-round gardening 8 Comments
Early one morning, this Texas Star Hibiscus caught my eye. It was partially opened and the sun was shining through the green star making it look like stained glass.
Unfortunately, the view from human eye always looks better than a photo and the glow is not quite captured.
Before long, the flower opened separating the green star. Nature has an endless variety of beautiful designs.
Dazzling Disneys
Posted: June 19, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Disney Ginger, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Hedychium coccineum, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 18 Comments
The Hedychium coccineums, otherwise known as Disney Gingers, are dazzling this year.
The Gingers are blooming a little earlier this season, due to rain and an early Spring.
The Disney Gingers have really multiplied this year and have very robust flowers. Quite a few haven’t bloomed yet, so the show will be extended for weeks.
Something New in the Garden
Posted: June 12, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, shrimp plant, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 18 Comments
A different Shrimp plant bloomed in the garden this year. It has fuller flowers than the others and different coloration.
Growing nearby is this Shrimp Cocktail variety
and this typical one that is shrimp-like in color.
In an adjacent bed is a red Shrimp plant.
Is the new one a result of cross-pollination, a virus that causes variegation or one I just forgot I planted?
I did search and haven’t found a Shrimp plant that looked like this. Let me know if anyone has seen a similar one.
Shades of Orange
Posted: June 5, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Backyard Critters, Coral Snake, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, nature photography, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 24 Comments
Shades of orange seem to be popping out in the garden. Somehow more than usual were planted this year.
The orange plants can easily be seen from across the yard or inside the house.
Orange is a blend of red and yellow. The color orange evokes joy, creativity, healthy eating, sunshine, the freedom of expression and many other things according to the internet. Or it is simply a pretty, bright color.
This visitor popped out during the photo shoot, so I had to include the Coral Snake. It does display the colors contained in orange.
Building Time with Frick and Frack
Posted: May 15, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Backyard Critters, Carolina Wrens, nature photography, Southern Gardening 6 Comments
My favorite duo are at it again. The Carolina Wrens, Frick and Frack have decided to build a nest in a big pot on the back porch.
I was able to shoot these photos from a window as they worked hard all morning long.
Sadly, I am going to have to dash their dreams of a new home as it is right next to the back door and I know they will not be happy there.
I think this project may be their second nest of the year, as a juvenile was following them around. The Wrens are smart and resourceful and I am sure they will find a better place for starting their next family.
