Heat Wave!!!

Here in the upper midwest, we're experiencing extreme heat. While 92F may not sound scorching to anyone living in dryer climates, when high temps are combined with high humidity, the heat index can easily rise up and over 100F. This could lead to heat related illnesses such as heat stroke in both humans and animals.

Stay in air conditioned buildings, drink plenty of fluids, and if you must be outside, wear a hat and stay in the shade.

Check up on elderly neighbors, and families with young children. A day like this is not good for gardening or running around outside!

Outdoor dogs (and cats!) should have plenty of shade and water to access throughout the day.

For wild animals, consider leaving shallow dishes of water in shady areas, or hanging an extra hummingbird feeder out for hot, hungry hummers.

--LKR

Hummers, Orioles, Heading North!

The hummers are early, this year!!! According to Journey North ruby-throated hummingbirds have been spotted as far north as Williamsburg, VA, on the east coast, and East Ridge, TN more inland!!!

Rufous Hummers have blanketed the west coast with their presence, as well, so spring is well on its way!

If you put your feeders out, early, they will be grateful. They are on the move with few, if any, flowers to feast from, though they will also eat bugs. Your choice--invite pesky bugs to your yard, or put out your feeders without dely!!!

Don't forget those lovely orange and black birds who also will come looking to dine at your hummingbird feeders! Orioles are also on the move and farther north in their journey. They've already been reported in Raleigh, ND, and Edina, MN. Orioles will also indulge in grape jelly, orange slices, berries, and of course insects!

I can't wait to have these beautiful birds back at my feeders! --LKR

Hanging Out In The Rain

Well, last night, my oldest daughter and I were coming up with songs she could use for an English project to show rhythms, rhymes, and patterns (or lack of!). One song we both came up with was "Stand in the Rain" by Superchick. So this morning when I found myself still listening to this song in my head..., while watching the hummingbirds braving the rain out our patio door..., I just had to post!!!

This is the first in the almost five years we've lived here that our hummers have learned to "play nice" and actually share. I'm glad we've (finally!) "accomplished" comradery!!! --LKR

They're Back in Town!

My friend Wynde and I were finishing up on a leisurely lunch when we spotted a beautiful male ruby- throated hummingbird at our feeder. I had set out nectar shortly before we had that last fling of wintry weather that dumped upon us a significant amount of snow.

Then, while out on a walk, we saw around 10 cabbage white butterflies. Checkered whites and mustard whites also fly in our northern climate. White family butterflies over-winter in the pupae stage and are one of the first to emerge, come spring.

Several spring azures, tiny blue butterflies, flitted along the country roadsides around our feet. The first generation of this early emerging butterfly are darker blue in appearance than successive generations.

Why the picture of dandelions, you ask? They are among the few early flowering perennials that are essential for bees and butterflies which bloom before lilacs and mock orange bush, both magnets for these and other hungry insects. --LKR

More Signs of Spring

Lovely crocus in greater numbers than the year before brighten the day!So far, the rabbits and deer have spared these tulips... !Mole and mice tunnels and holes are revealed after the snow and ice have melted.

Several of these little beetles were scurrying around on the ground throughout our yard. When I was younger, I used to love to play with them! Fess time: I still do!!!

A flock of geese flying up above. A raptor, probably a red-tailed hawk, was later flying around, too. Sandhill cranes also flew overhead, this afternoon! A few weeks ago when we were in Chicago, I saw a flock flying way up high as we were driving into the city.

This is the second hummer's nest in the three and a half years we've lived here that I've found in our low growing, fragrant mock orange bush. Mock orange is a super butterfly magnet in the spring, as are lilacs!

A very skinny robin in search of food among patches of snow.

--LKR

A Few of Our Hummers...

Here are a few images of our ruby-throated hummingbirds. The male is the one with the red neck on the top left. The female is in the picture directly below. The drabber coloring enables her to blend in with the nest while she's incubating her eggs.

In the bottom photo, a monarch made a cameo appearance. I didn't even see it 'til I viewed the image on the computer!!! The female hummer is to the right of the pink phlox, and the butterfly is directly below.


Hummers and butterflies like pretty much the same flowers, so if your trying to attract one to your garden, you'll also be luring the other by cultivating the same plants. A two-for-one, sweet deal that's well worth the effort! --LKR

Territorial Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds

We have four ruby-throated hummingbirds fighting over food and territory in our yard, this year. I don't know why they do this, as we go out of our way for them so they won't. We have a bunch of large hummer and butterfly friendly gardens for them to choose from, as well as four hanging baskets full of tempting petunias. Two neighbors also have feeders up, and this August we added a second feeder on the other side of the house. Still, they fight in the gardens, at the baskets, and around the feeders. But we still love them, and their antics! They will surely--and sorely!--be missed when they head south for the winter. --LKR