Black Snake

I think black snakes are really cool, especially to keep away the copperheads! We have some close to the house but as long as they stay OUT of the house, they don't bother me. This one was in our yard last evening and he didn't like us watching him so he climbed up the trumpet vine. Then he looked down at me from the roof. I think he wanted to go across the roof but it was too hot. So then I left him alone, but I got some good pics of him!

Unidentified Plant or Shrub or Tree

What is this? Three leaves at each stem end. Leaves and berries covered in soft hair. The leaves are mildly saw-toothed. I believe it is a shrub or tree because the stem is woody. I can't find it in any of my wildflower or tree books or on the net. There are several of them growing around our property.

Return of the Hummingbirds

The hummingbirds are picking up a bit. There were at least seven at the feeders last night, but there may have been more. I added another feeder to the two out front. We have one in the back also.

Eastern Black Swallowtail

I'm going to call these Eastern Black Swallowtail butterflies, although I'm not sure that's what they were. I took the pic last year and came across it again today. The zebra swallowtails are out now and I want to capture them on film. I was amazed at how these eastern blacks flew in sync.

Roses!

We may not have many hummingbirds this year, but we sure do have a lot of roses! It is because I cut them back this winter, although you'd never know it from looking at the pictures.

Where are all the hummingbirds?

We notice fewer hummingbirds (Ruby Throated) are around our house than previous years. We've lived here since 2005 and every spring there have been dozens of hummingbirds. By now there should be at least 10 or 12 and by the end of the summer, with the babies coming along, dozens. But we only have maybe three or four!! It is disheartening. We have the same flowers, except the previous owner did have wild flowers growing at one side of the house that I haven't planted like he did. I do have some in the rock garden, but we have all the same other things, plus all the woods around. And they came around in the previous years we've been here. I hope people respond to my poll about this issue.

Worms!

My husband gathered last year's manure from the local farmer's pasture and we piled it in the garden in the corner inside a tarp. Today my husband decided to take it out and lay it around between the rows and we are amazed at the number of earthworms in the manure! He said they were dripping off of his shovel when he shoveled the manure up. He should have had me take a picture of that, but I went down later and got a few of the worms inside bits of manure. This would only be exciting for gardeners, I realize!