Wednesday, July 10, 2013

A Second Look--July 10, 2013

We've had hot, humid days with afternoon thunderstorms. Makes feel like I'm back in New Orleans where we lived for several years. Despite that heat, there are new colors of day lilies continuing to bloom along with the first blooms from the African Daisies. I think the baby bluebirds are still in the nesting box, but I haven't been able to look for several days to know for sure. If I even approach the box, the parents start swooping down over me. It's very unnerving, so I'd say they parents are doing a good job. Also, I have seen my first two swallowtail butterflies. I thought one of them had injured its wings, but upon closer examination, I think they just haven't unfolded all the way yet after hatching from the chrysalis.

Here's what I saw this week during a Second Look.

Various day lilies that are bloom right now


This is one of the few coneflowers the Japanese Beetles haven't been heavily feasting on.


Swallowtail butterfly with folded wings on milkweed blossom.


Hydrangea


Kaleidoscope Abelia


Daisies--Gerber and African



Pictures don't come out very well from a small dark nesting box. However, here are four babyblue birds over a three week span.

Posted by Live and Learn at 6:46 AM
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6 comments:

  1. Economies of KaleJuly 10, 2013 at 7:28 AM

    Does that mean the bluebirds breed more than once a year? Or are these different ones breeding later?

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    Replies
    1. Live and LearnJuly 10, 2013 at 10:21 AM

      Bluebirds usually have two broods/year and occasionally can have three if the conditions are just right. I think that this is the same pair, but I don't really know for sure.

      Delete
  2. LiliJuly 10, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    Your day lilies are gorgeous! I really love the mauve ones.

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    Replies
    1. Live and LearnJuly 10, 2013 at 4:10 PM

      Day lilies really are beautiful flowers. However, I wish their foliage stayed better. It's already turning brown from the heat.

      Delete
  3. Everyday Life On A ShoestringJuly 12, 2013 at 4:33 AM

    Those bluebirds are adorable. It's been a really good year for baby birds here too. We've been enjoying the antics of the baby blackbirds and sparrows, but not the noisy jackdaws who hang around the chimney pots and start squawking far too early in the morning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Live and LearnJuly 12, 2013 at 7:13 AM

      I enjoy hearing most of the birds except the blue jays and crows. But I guess their cries sound good to each other.

      Delete

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