And I don't mean me -- I haven't done much gardening at all.
I'm referring to the birds and the butterflies.
First, I spent way too long this morning chasing this swallowtail around trying to get a decent photo!
She was too busy laying eggs on the fennell to worry about posing for me.
I did manage to get some decent shots though. If you click on a photo, you can view the full size version.
And I managed to zoom in a bit.
She really liked the Fennel.
And, remember those Carolina Wrens that built a nest in one of the container plants on the patio a couple of weeks ago?
Well, that pot got knocked/blown over twice and one time an egg even rolled out. My husband put it back, but who knows how long it had been on the ground and we didn't hold out much hope for any babies.
One of the garden bloggers at Houston Grows, Ursula, who is also a retired wildlife rehabber, advised me that I could move the pot to a higher, safer location and the parents shouldn't mind. So I did -- I moved it to the top shelf of a mini greehouse I have out there (without it's winter wrap)
For the past several days, the wren has been busily flying back and forth to the nest with mouthfuls of insects. I've got worn out just watching him!
I can always tell when he's coming, even if I'm indoors. Talk about noisy! It's amazing such a little bird has such a loud voice!
When I'm sitting at my computer desk I can see the macrame plant hangers that I made, out on the patio, and they seem to be a favorite spot for him to stop and check out the territory before entering the nest (sorry - no pics of that, I'd be photographing from twenty five feet away, through the wood blinds).
Sorry these pics aren't great either, I sat at the far end of the patio and tried not to disturb them to take photos, and they came out grainy.
How this will end, I don't know. I've snuck as close as I can to the nest and not heard a peep out of any babies and/or mama bird that may be in there. I tried looking through the bedroom window that you see behind the nest and just can't see anything from there either.
At least the nest is in a more secure location now and my moving it doesn't seem to have bothered the birds.
So, we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Words and photographs by Jayne Wilson, Green and Serene, Jayne's Country Garden.
6 comments:
Oh wow! That is so cool that the wren found a home in your container pot! I can't wait to find out how many babies are in there!
I would imagine that momma bird is feeding someone in there. How exciting to watch it all happen. I don't know if I could've resisted a step ladder and an upclose view...I admire your respect and restraint! Patty
That was truly a busy weekend for the mom bird! And you were busy watching too! It is fun to be able to observe all those happenings in the nature, keep us posted on progress!
Hi Jayne,
I know what you mean about spending too much time trying to get photos of butterflies. I enjoyed your photos, and it does sound like the wrens are feeding some little ones. I hope they start peeking out soon so you can see them.
After the nest falling over twice and an egg rolling out, I'm amazed that they're still there. I hope we see some babies soon.
What a beautiful post, soon you may have some baby birds singing under your bedroom window.
The butterfly shots are gorgeous too.
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