Monarch

A number of organizations had tried to promote milkweed for home, pesticide-free gardens. I've linked to one such organization.


http://www.livemonarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds.htm

Hummingbird Garden

I found out how nature creates a hummingbird garden today. Pokeweed was used for perches (as pictured) above a bed of Spotted Jewelweed in dappled shade.

"Wild Grapes"

Disclaimer I know just enough about the botanical world to be dangerous. You should always consult someone skilled in plant identification before consuming wild plant materials.

I've found out there are a lot of things being called "wild grapes". For my definition, I consider wild grapes to be Vitis vines that produce edible fruits. The first part of the definition rules out plants with grapevine-like leaves, such as Ampelopsis. The second part of the definition rules out anything with fruits resembeling grapes that would make me ill for eating them. Most vines that are something other than grapes have obvious features. For example, Virginia Creeper has bluish berries with multiple seeds per fruit, but they are not clustered like grapes and the vine has palmately compound leaves. Also, the seeds do not look like grape vine seeds. I believe its berries are toxic to humans. Ampelopsis flowers and fruits are also not clustered like a grape (two of the pictures above are of Ampelopsis Cordata, a native midwestern plant) and most only have one seed per fruit. Moonseed has a flat, single seed. It is toxic to humans. There may be any number of other vines resembeling grapes depending on the region. However, all of the grape species I have encountered have multiple seeds per fruit, similar leaf structure, and the clustering of fruits/flowers that help them stand out.

Common Suburban Neighbors

Ok the last one isn't really an animal, but it certainly looked like one to me!

More toad hideouts

I visited a small glade the other day. Some of the interesting things I found were toad hideouts in the small bluff.

Attracting Ruby Throat Hummingbirds

The best way I have found to see hummingbirds up close this time of year is to visit a patch of Jewelweed. If you don't have a patch near you, sow some seed in a moist place with partial shade. Forget the feeders, too messy and too much work! Ideally, a small shrub or tree would provide perches.