Know I've complained and griped about the garden during this torrid Summer in the southeast. Know many of you in other areas of the USA are suffering too........no rain to speak of, temperatures hovering in or near three digits daily, nights requiring even less than flimsy nighties or a loose cotton
t-shirt…...... because it just won't cool off!
Although Nature struggles there are still some lovely surprises in the garden every day. I always have a camera handy....................one morning last week three goldfinches arrived on the dying sunflowers in a large pot in front of the porch. As they pecked out the black seeds I just managed a quick shot through the dining room window. Such beautiful little birds.
I mentioned recently that the bees were busy on the fading Stargazer lilies.......now they are feasting on the phlox buds and blooms.
Having a good supply of large bumble bees for pollination is always a good sign.......this hot Summer they appear to be thriving in the heat.
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtails left the lilies and moved on to sip their nectar from the buddleia bushes. Quite large with 3-51/2 inch wing spans, these beauties are a joy to watch.
The heatwave continues...........in fact the national weather map shown on tonight's news reports was quite frightening with heat indexes showing as high as 131 degrees! Here, we are expecting 100+ through the coming weekend................I'll continue to be out there with my camera when I can. I just know there are more surprises in store in the garden.......sweet smelling moonflowers, twining morning glories, and ripening figs.
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