Smack–That Was Gooood!

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Tina

A while back, I spied a Carolina Anole, Anolis carolinensis, skulking about in a Star Jasmine Vine, Trachelospermum jasminoides. He was trying to avoid notice by me and it looked like he had something in his mouth.

Yup, that’s a beetle or some other small prey, lodged in the smacking maw of the Anole.

It’s not clear from the photo exactly what he was eating, but partaking in a meal was definitely happening with this dude. Whatever he ate must have been tasty, judging from the look on his face. He looks content and happy.

He’s probably still hunting prey in my garden, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind being part of Wildlife Wednesday, celebrated on the first Wednesday of each month by garden bloggers who love attracting and observing wild critters in their gardens. Please join in on Wednesday, May 6 to share your photos and stories about wildlife in your gardens.

Red Headed Stranger

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Tina

No, this red-headed stranger,

….isn’t that Red Headed Stranger. All last winter, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus, visited this suet feeder. Almost on a daily basis, I’d see him twirling on the wire cage which holds the bar of rich suet for birds to peck from. The handsome fellow was shy and didn’t barge his way onto the feeder while another feathered friend snacked. Once he landed on the feeder though, he would defend his food bar until he’d had his fill of suet-n-seed and was ready to move on.

For the first time this winter, during our recent blast of cold, wet late winter weather, he (or a relative) reappeared.

Welcome back, red-headed stranger.

While Willie might croon Wild Side of Life, this gardener is going to warble about the wildlife that has visited her gardens in the last month on Wednesday, March 4 in celebration of Wildlife Wednesday. Please join in, even if you’re not a redhead,

…and share photos and stories about your wildlife adventures.

The Wildlife Wednesday gardening meme occurs on the first Wednesday of each month and will be next Wednesday, March 4th.

Possumhaw Addendum

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Tina

In my Possumhaw Holly Seasonal Look post of Friday, February 13, I mentioned that if the berries aren’t gobbled up by birds during winter, the new spring leaves sprout in tandem with the ripe berries and sometimes, with last season’s “adult” leaves. Well, spring sprung this past weekend for my Possumhaw and here’s a look at those new leaves and their berry companions–or maybe, it’s the other way ’round.

I’ve seen plenty of Cedar Waxwings flitting about, preening themselves in trees and there are always Blue Jays and Mockingbirds in my gardens, so I’m not quite sure why there hasn’t been more of a run, or swoop, on the berries. I’m confident though, that the luscious fruits will be consumed in the next few weeks and the Possumhaw can begin its next year of life and production.