Chasing the Prothonotary

What a treat to catch this little bird in the garden! The Prothonotary Warbler, a tiny blast of yellow that is on the decline. This is about the time of year I spy one and it is hard to catch with a camera. Constantly on the move, searching the limbs and leaves for food. The song reminds me of the goldfinch, a little squeaky and sweet string of notes.
Next year we may try some boxes and see if we can get some mating pairs at the water's edge, though I think they favor the swamps.
Here are shots of the warbler scurrying through a sugar berry tree; it is a busy bird!

The garden pre-ride

In full Tour de France withdrawal, I planned a nice long bike ride. Just before I headed out, I visited the garden with my camera. My sunflowers are being enjoyed by cardinals and goldfinch and I was hoping to catch a shot.


No luck, but I did catch a grackle eating a fig. It's okay, this tree is not as sweet as my other one and I have plenty to share.

Dragonflies, interpreted

The skies have been full of dragonflies since early summer. By late July the beauties are about: the reds, the lime greens and the large blues. I have yet to see the heavy blacks that look like they are carrying extra packs.
I really wanted to see what I could do in my new found art of watercolor.


When a good friend saw my little painting, she suggested putting it on a hat. So I painted a fly on my only plain ball cap. Of course the fabric and the fabric paints do not allow the detail of the watercolor, but it is a fun look. I think I may get some more plain caps and paint them up!

Among the lilies

I love lilies. They are pretty happy in my garden and I love the colors, the fragrance and the way they color the head of a hummingbird who visits them. I have a special lily that may not be perfect in her nature but what a show! This is a shot of two stems. Yes, just two: one has nearly 30 bloom heads and the other more than 50! On a single stem each! Not perfect nature, but I'm keeping her.


And this is my watercolor of a single bloom from another more typical lily.
Among the lilies, it's pretty nice.

Soft mornings on the sound

Despite the stormy weather of late, mornings are quiet on the sound. The winds are still and the clouds hide the sun until a later hour than 'sunrise'.

Red-banded Hairstreak

I did not know there was a group of butterflies called Hairstreaks, even with a handy guide on my shelf, until I spotted this little one. It is about an inch in size and decorated like a Seminole quilt!

Garlic and Pearls

My test planting of the purchased garlic bulbs from Johnny's Seeds was a huge success. I bought a stiffneck variety, 6 heads, which gave me 27 new garlic heads. The heads are very large and I can't wait to try some after I finish off this last head of grocery store garlic in my kitchen. I will keep some for planting and perhaps try another variety next year as well.

My shot shows a few of the harvested heads along with a clump of pearl onions which was also a new try this year. The pearl onions did very well, they are intended for a few recipes of beef bourgignon but I will try them in a salad first.