Red-Shouldered Hawk
Posted: September 24, 2018 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Backyard Critters, nature photography, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate 10 Comments
While walking through the house, I glanced out of a window and saw this beautiful Red-Shouldered Hawk sitting on a branch. It had one leg tucked up and seemed to be resting. The hawk’s feather patterns are a work of art.
I watched for awhile and then ran through the house to grab my camera. The window I was watching through was a half moon shape near the ceiling. I stood on a little stool and started shooting. Surprisingly, these photos are not too bad considering they were taken through a window.
Hummers Part II
Posted: September 17, 2018 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Backyard Critters, Green Anole, Gulf Coast gardening, Hummingbird, My Kitchen Window, nature photography, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate 19 Comments
A new day and the feeding frenzy has escalated. Seven or more hummingbirds have descended on the garden. Another hummer has claimed the second feeder leaving the others to fight for it.
I was watching from a window and saw the hummingbirds acting differently and went out to see what was going on. It turns out that hummers aren’t the only ones interested in the sugar water. A green anole was blocking their access.
And the birds were not happy.
The anole eventually climbed up on the stand and encroached on the hummingbird’s perch. The bird tried going after the lizard with its needle-like bill.
The anole was steadfast.
The hummingbird was not amused.
The hummer sat on its perch for a few minutes trying not to look at the lizard, while the anole may have been wondering if it could swallow the little bird.
In the end, the anole outlasted the hummers who finally met their match.
There’s Always One
Posted: September 16, 2018 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Backyard Critters, cigar plant, Cuphea ignea, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Hamelia paten, Hummingbird, hummingbird bush, nature photography, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 12 Comments
There is always one hummingbird that decides it will be the bully and guard of the food source. Hummingbirds seem like such cute little birds, but they can be very vicious to each other and even to large birds. This little bird is spending its days chasing away any creature that comes near the feeders or flowers.
Right now there are 3 to 4 hummers in the garden. That works out well when the dominate bird chases another away, the third one can grab some nectar.
My garden is filled with hummingbird friendly flowers, such as this Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea)…
and a Hummingbird Bush (Hamelia patens). Plus beds filled with nectar producing flowers in the back and front yards. Yet, it is an endless fight all day long with the bully attacking and knocking the other hummers away.
And does the bully feel bad about this at all? Ppptttthhh, the hummingbird just sticks out its tongue and continues its reign of terror.
You Never Know Who Is Watching
Posted: September 10, 2018 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Backyard Critters, Brown Anole, Green Anole, nature photography, toad 10 Comments
You never know who is watching while working in the garden. I spotted the head of a toad peeking from a hole. It burrowed into the soft soil the Cicada Wasps have dug up.
While working near the house, I found this brown anole watching me from a weep hole between the bricks. The brown anoles live out front and the greens are in the back yard. (He is small and the photos were taken with a phone, so not the best.)
This time, I’m the one watching this little green anole. It is so tiny and cute exploring the world it just entered.
Patch is Back
Posted: September 9, 2018 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Backyard Critters, Gardening, nature photography, rabbits, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate 10 Comments
My favorite wild rabbit, Patch is back. I haven’t seen her for months and there are two reasons I know it is her. First, the patches of missing fur on her back.
And she chased me into the garage when I came outside to give her sunflower seeds.
A Tale of Two Beds
Posted: September 3, 2018 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, penta lanceolata, pentas, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 18 Comments
The two flower bed at the entrance of my front porch tell a very different tale. The plants were all bought at the same time and the same place.
One side is growing lush and blooming well.
The other bed is struggling and dropping yellow leaves. Early on I gave this bed fertilizer and a new layer of soil. Both beds grew equally well in the past. This is definitely a gardening mystery.
Come on Down
Posted: August 27, 2018 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Butterflly Weed, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, nature photography, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 22 Comments
During a recent trip to the northeast part of the country, I came across these Monarch Caterpillars eating a Milkweed plant. I would guess that this would be the generation to go to Mexico and the butterflies’ route could very well pass through The Automatic Garden.
So, come on down and stay for a spell. We are ready and waiting for the Monarchs.
