It’s a lazy hazy summer day and I’m flopped on my patio lounge chair, feeling as wilted as a thirsty hydrangea baking in afternoon sun. A mug of herbal iced tea is within easy reach and my garden is just two feet away. Wow, am I enjoying the show! My garden is literally swarming with a multitude of birds, bees and butterflies.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Spicebush Swallowtails, Cabbage butterflies—and tiny orange butterflies that refuse to hold still long enough for me to get a good look at them, let alone a photo-- flutter excitedly among the lavender blooms of fluffy anise hyssop, fragrant phlox, Victoria Blue salvia and vanilla-scented heliotrope. Luckily, the bees don’t mind—they’re willing to share the banquet.
A pair of Cabbage butterflies chose an anise hyssop leaf for their mating ritual.
Meanwhile, back at the bird feeder, an avian feeding frenzy is taking place, as my feathered friends zoom in and out for a quick snack. My feeder is busier than a JFK runway—there’s constant landing and taking off from the four perches on the “squirrel-proof” feeder. What a bevy of birds--cardinals, chickadees, tufted titmice, goldfinches and those ubiquitous house finches with bottomless pits for stomachs. Blackbirds, sparrows and mourning doves scoop up seeds that fall to the ground when the feeder birds get sloppy. While whiny catbirds wait impatiently for their turn, noisy blue jays and their half-grown kids play and splash in the birdbath beside the feeder.
Under the feeder, a determined and persistent squirrel is contemplating his next bird seed raid. I can see the wheels turning, as he checks it out from all angles, deciding on his next plan of action. We’ve been fighting this battle all season, with me mostly losing due to his sheer persistence and cleverness. If we ever tested a squirrel’s IQ, I’ll bet it would be on a par with most humans.
Today I coated the pole with Vaseline—just the lower third, so the birds won’t get it on their feet. That did it. Mr. Squirrel hates Vaseline. And to show his disgust, he rushed up to the top of the oak tree and launched several missiles of acorns at my head. Yes, I’m serious!
What could be better than spending a summer afternoon enjoying the sights, scents and sounds of nature in your garden? So take a break—go out to your own little backyard paradise and enjoy the show!
Would you like to help your children get excited about the great outdoors? Go to the National Wildlife Federation's Green Hour
Do you have a gardening question? Call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
August 11, 2007: Vegetable & Fruit Sculpting
Learn how to create sculpted veggies & fruit. This is a hands-on workshop.
September 8, 2007: Gourds & Birdhouses
Learn how to make birdhouses and other useful items from gourds you can grow in your garden. This is a hands-on workshop.
September 29, 2007: Master Gardeners Fall Fest & Plant Sale
Registration required for all events (except plant sale). Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website at http://delaware.extension.psu.edu/MG/MGcalendar.
