Lunchtime
June 26, 2012, 9:37 pm
We designed our front yard to be eaten. Now with wings aflutter and holes in the leaves, the entire front of our house has become a giant cafeteria.
Years ago, I stood in a botanical garden surrounded by butterflies. The sign said that anyone could create this paradise by planting bird and butterfly friendly plants. Why would anyone plant any other kind I wondered? The only problem that I could foresee was that my husband and I are lousy gardeners.
We have been working on this project for sixteen years. Those who know us understand that our failures and mistakes have been monumental such as the fifty cone flower plants that all dropped dead for no apparent reason.
But we persevered, and things are finally coming together. Seven butterfly species were all gorging on nectar the other day and numerous birds including hummingbirds visit every day. Bees are everywhere, some are as big as jawbreakers.
Yesterday my husband captured a magical goldfinch moment. Click here to see and hear the party.
6 Comments for this entry
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Greetings and welcome...
The Suitcase Lady Blog is now in its fifteenth year. I intend to keep following the advice from poet Mary Oliver, "Pay attention, be astonished and tell about it". Many thanks for being the people I tell it to.
Posts
June 26th, 2012 on 10:16 PM
Watched the video…that is so incredible!
June 27th, 2012 on 6:19 AM
I love gold finches- what a treasure of nature!
June 27th, 2012 on 6:47 AM
This is great, Mary! I have just started a project of this same Nature (ha ha) myself this summer and I am just loving it!!!
June 27th, 2012 on 11:24 AM
Hi Pat!
The plant that they are partying in is called a catmint plant (not to be confused with a catnip plant). They also love sunflowers so you could attract some of your own by planting a few sunflower seeds.
We are thinking of you!
Mary
mtooley@artinasuitcase.com
Peruse my blog:
http://www.thesuitcaselady.com
June 27th, 2012 on 11:58 AM
I had finches at my bird feeders but had to take them down. A few years ago there was a major chipmunk problem here-getting into the condo so bird feeders had to go. I didn’t know this until a few months after I had the feeders up. Who would of thought!!! Things are moving along. Right now we are praying for my brother-the Colorado Springs fire is 7 miles from his home. He hasn’t had to evacuate yet but is ready to go. He said this is surreal!
June 27th, 2012 on 8:02 PM
This may explain why we had to do two chipmunk rescues from our downstairs this week! We got both of them out before the cats handled the situation.
Mary
mtooley@artinasuitcase.com
Peruse my blog:
http://www.thesuitcaselady.com