Post your yard and pond visitors

[JBtheExplorer]

Some of the butterflies in my native gardens today.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Last week I was walking out to my garden and a large bird flew out of my neighbor's tree that overhangs my garden. I thought it was an owl but I only saw it for a second and my view was obstructed by branches and leaves. Sure enough, it was a Great Horned Owl. Today, it was back, this time in my tree. In fact, I walked right under it without knowing until I turned around and walked back. I would've never saw it but it flew from the branch it was on over to another. Eventually, it flew over into a neighbor's tree.

 

[GBBUDD]

sweet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i am not that lucky no owls around here . not that i am aware of anyways

 

[JBtheExplorer]

 

[addy1]

The green heron came by, but too dark to snap a pic. These two were grazing around the pond and bog. The buck and doe have been hanging out all summer in our yard. Someone is sleeping in the bog plants, on the bog hill and in other plants around the pond, you can see the crushed plants. The lotus pond is right behind the bucks head. There is another pond between him and the lotus pond. Just can't see it, too many plants!

 

[JBtheExplorer]

This Hermit flower beetle was crawling on my patio by the pond. First time I've seen a beetle this large. So awesome!

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Monarch activity has significantly increased. No coincidence, their favorite nectar source is blooming; Meadow Blazing Star.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

So many monarchs the past few days. It's like an airshow out there. They'll fly past chasing each other, and then spin around up into the sky, then another will fly past, then they'll chase after birds. It's been fun to watch. I've had very little monarch activity this year until now.

Yesterday

Today

 

[Tula]

Wow, beautiful pictures ! I'll have to look up Meadow Blazing Star

Darn, just looked them up and they are not native in our area.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Wow, beautiful pictures ! I'll have to look up Meadow Blazing Star

Darn, just looked them up and they are not native in our area.

Doesn't mean you can't plant them. They're not technically native to my area, either.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Some of the monarchs in the yard tonight.

 

[BKHpondcritters]

Lots of sightings lately of our little water snake, Nessie.

The bees are enjoying the turtlehead which is starting to bloom

And Jeremiah has taken up residence in one of our Biofalls. I guess he outgrew any of the other 'caves' to hide in around the pond!

 

[GBBUDD]

That snakes patters looks venomous but t GG e head does not what kind of sna jk e is it

 

[mrsclem]

Guessing great northern water snake. Had several of these, look like Copperheads!

 

[BKHpondcritters]

Yup! Northern water snake. We have copperheads around too, but they don't hang out IN the pond! They prefer our stone front retaining wall.

We relocate them when we can.