– Light: Full to part sun. Prefers full sun. The less sun, the less this plant will bloom. I have four in my garden. Two are in full, unrelenting sun and bloom profusely. The other two are in full morning sun for about 6 hours, then shaded the rest of the day. They bloom well, […]
– Light: Full to part sun. – Soil and water: Medium-dry to dry average garden soil. – Hardiness Zone: Zones 3-8. – Size: About 2 feet tall. Will lean towards the sun and might sprawl. If you want this plant to always stand straight and tall, consider using a plant support. – Bloom period and color. Deadheading. Blooms blue/purplish […]
I was not quick enough to get a photo – probably because I was rooted to the spot. But a few minutes ago, I was looking out the window at the bird feeders and a Blue Jay was drinking, then taking a bath in the larger bird bath. When all of a sudden, a bird […]
Thanks to all of you who have been sending me photos and videos. I love looking at all of them. Here are a few: This first photo is from Janelle in Alaska. It is a Ptarmigan, but as I have never been to Alaska (ALAS!!!!!!), I am only guessing when I say it is a […]
We human beings who love animals are often tempted to see or to assign human characteristics in them or to them, and there are experts/professionals who deplore this practice. It is called ‘anthropomorphism’ which means humanizing those who are not human – in this case birds. However, I am not in agreement with these experts/professionals. […]
Before I discuss online field guides, bird apps, and field guide books, I will tell you what I prefer – field guides that are books. Keep in mind, this is a personal preference and I think it is partly a generational thing. I lived part of my life before cell phones and the internet. I […]
Journaling. There is a big push for journaling these days. Classes are being offered just about everywhere. Everything from scrapbooking to having a beautifully bound notebook in which to write. But as most of you know – journaling is not new at all. Ever since people invented materials to write on and with, they have […]
I think they are Cackling Geese and not Canada Geese, but I am not positive. According to allaboutbirds.org, Cackling Geese do migrate through Illinois, but they are ‘Scarce’. National Audubon maps are in agreement that these geese migrate through Illinois, but uses the word ‘Uncommon’. For the past about 5 years, I believe we have […]
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) and Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii). These two species used to be one species – Canada Goose. But in 2004, several of the smaller subspeices of Canada Goose were separated out from Canada Goose and classified as a separate species – Cackling Goose. This was based on two major things. First, […]
In an earlier blog, I told you that our Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Gray Catbirds, and Brown Thrashers are gone – they have begun their migration. We now have Gray Catbirds again – here in our yard. One was ‘meowing’ at me yesterday from a thick tangle of vines near the shore of our small lake. But […]