nature

Busy Bees

/ Rebecca / 21 Comments

Earlier this summer, as I was out walking, I heard a persistent buzzing sound I hadn’t noticed before. Curious, I looked around and discovered a hive of busy bees tucked behind vines inside a hollowed-out tree trunk beside the road, each one diligently working away.

“The hum of bees is the voice of the garden.”  ~Elizabeth Lawrence

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Throughout the summer, it was encouraging to see various types of bees diligently transferring pollen from flower to flower.

“For so work the honey bees, creatures that by a rule in nature teach the act of order to a peopled kingdom.” ~William Shakespeare

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I believe this was my favorite—the American Bumble Bee (Bombus pensylvanicus). Such a beauty! It plays an important role in pollinating many different plants.

The careful insect ‘midst his works I view,
Now from the flowers exhaust the fragrant dew,
With golden treasures load his little thighs,
And steer his distant journey through the skies.
~John Gay, Rural Sports (canto I, I. 82)

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This year, morning glories blossomed along my fence, and it was fascinating to observe the bees as they slept—with their heads tucked inside the flower blossoms and their tiny bottoms sticking out. When the flowers opened in the morning, the bees busily buzzed about, gathering nectar and pollen.

… Why are you so busy, pray?
Never still a minute,
hovering now above a flower.
Now half-buried in it!
by Julia Dorr

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“It is not how busy you are, but why you are busy – the bee is praised, the mosquito is swatted. ~Author Unknown

Amazing Moths

/ Rebecca / 21 Comments

Although less conspicuous than butterflies, these frequently overlooked insects display a remarkable diversity in size, patterns, and colors. Some serve essential roles as nighttime pollinators and are a crucial food source for larger creatures.

“I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it.”  ~Harry Emerson Fosdick

Note: Credit goes to my husband for the Luna moth photo.

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

/ Rebecca / 24 Comments

“A beautiful sight that tickles the eyes and thrills the soul” is the phrase that came to mind while watching a group of female ruby-throated hummingbirds as they danced and weaved around the feeder and late September flowers.  Between their swift dips and dives, the hummingbirds jealously guarded their favorite resting spots in the nearby bushes. For the males, the seasonal stay here is over, and they have already migrated south toward a warmer climate.  These females may also be on the move, taking a brief stopover before continuing their journey.

“There are two ways of seeing: with the body and with the soul.  The body’s sight can sometimes forget, but the soul remembers forever.”  ~Alexandre Dumas

A Variety of Butterflies

/ Rebecca / 11 Comments

The butterflies have been very busy the past couple of weeks. It’s been fun to watch as they enjoy the wildflowers and dance and flutter in the afternoon sun.

I took a short video of three of these beauties.

“We constantly wait in anticipation for a miracle to happen in our life, unaware that the miracle is actually life itself.” ~Daniel Chidiac

Corn Moon and Fields

/ Rebecca / 10 Comments

September’s “Corn” Moon, marking the time of corn harvesting and the last full moon of summer, has now peaked.  Along with a photo of this luminous moon,

I also thought I would share some pictures taken while out walking beside the corn fields near our house earlier in the summer.

“Our deep respect for the land and its harvest is the legacy of generations of farmers who put food on our tables, preserved our landscape, and inspired us with a powerful work ethic.”  ~James H. Douglas, Jr.

An Unexpected Surprise

/ Rebecca / 21 Comments

I was sitting peacefully in a rocking chair on a covered porch at a wildlife refuge when, out of nowhere, this Yellow-throated Warbler darted in.  Disoriented beneath the roof, it landed on the rocking chair beside me to find its bearings.

For a time, I remained still, not wanting to scare it away. Eventually, I gently snapped a few photos.

The bird’s bright yellow throat stood out vividly against its gray and white feathers, accentuated by its black mask and streaks.

After having time to inspect its surroundings, the warbler regained its composure and took off as swiftly as it had arrived.

“Life’s most beautiful moments often arrive unannounced, wrapped in the shimmering paper of unexpected surprises.” – Unknown

Gulf Fritillary

/ Rebecca / 27 Comments

The Gulf Fritillary, also known as the longwing or passion butterfly, is a stunning and delicate insect. Its vibrant orange wings are accented with black streaks on top, while the undersides display white and brown spots. Their lives are brief, lasting only a few weeks. During this period, they spend their days feasting on nectar as one of their major sources of energy.

A butterfly just fluttered by
as little wings just kissed the sky.
And when it flew just out of view,
God whispered,
“I made that for you.”
~Anne Peterson

Two Shy Birds

/ Rebecca / 17 Comments

In late July, as we drove slowly down the road at the wildlife refuge, I was excited to spot an adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron walking around on the floor of the swampy woods.  It was quite shy, staying close to the cover of trees and vines as protection from prying eyes.

In early August, when we drove this road once again, we glimpsed the shadow of a large bird as it took flight from the forest floor and settled in a distant tree.  This time it was a juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron.  With its spotted brown feathers and streaky underparts, it did an excellent job of blending in with the background of the branches and foliage.  Had I not seen where it landed, I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to find it among the trees.

“Scientists have found the gene for shyness. They would have found it years ago, but it was hiding behind a couple of other genes.” ~Jonathan Katz

Praying Mantis

/ Rebecca / 21 Comments

It’s impossible not to be fascinated by this alien-looking insect.  I spotted it crawling along the handrail of the lake’s boardwalk.  Busy on its prowl for prey, it paused long enough to give the human observer a curious glance.

From whence arrived the praying mantis? 
From outer space, or lost Atlantis?
glimpse the grin, green metal mug
at masks the pseudo-saintly bug,
Orthropterous, also carnivorous,
And faintly whisper, Lord deliver us. 
~Ogden Nash

Juvenile Mockingbird

/ Rebecca / 12 Comments

One afternoon, my husband came inside sounding puzzled, saying that the mockingbird in our front yard had been unusually aggressive when he went out to get the mail. That evening, I spotted a young bird sitting in the yard, and suddenly it made sense. He had encountered a mother bird whose protective instincts had kicked in.

“I may seem quiet and reserved, but if you mess with my children, the mama bear in me will roar.” – Unknown