Argiope child

Yesterday, while walking along past the Meadow, I happened to spot what looked like a web in the grass. Yes! An Agriope aurantia baby! And I mean BABY! I believe this is the smallest I've ever seen. So I QUITE excited to see one. I went back this afternoon with my camera and was able to find her. Did the best I could, snapping photos.

Some of what's blooming now

Lindheimer's beebalm

Scarlet clematis (first time to bloom!)

Fall aster

Shasta daisy

Heartleaf skullcap

Indian paintbrush

Prairie verbena that I've transplanted this week.

Can you spot the "bad guy" in the greenthread that's seeding out?*

Mexican hat

* ANSWER: Malta star thistle

Eco experiment

This is how dedicated I am to recycling–I bring home my recyclables whenever I travel. At least, as much as I can, I do. Like this cardboard cup from the Atlanta airport. (My chocolate/cake batter yogurt was DELICIOUS so thought I'd give Freshens Smoothies & Yogurt a plug.)  I was going to drop the container in our recycling bin. Then I noticed that it was compostable. Hmmm. Cool! But why not try an experiment? So two days ago, I took my Ecotainer outside and buried it in our compost pile. I plan to go back out there now and then, dig it up and take update photos. Let's just see how long it takes to start decomposing!

The stick marks the place where I buried the Ecotainer. I'm old; I need reminders. 

MARCH 13, 2015, UPDATE

 Since you asked, here's a photo of my eco cup this month. As you can see, it surfaced from our compost pile. Oh, well. But it does seem to be decomposing.

May 2014 in our Wildscape

 

 

 

Makin' bees happy

I happened to have this big red-and-green hummingbird feeder on hand so I hung it up first for the hummers. Then I thought about hanging a "one shotter" for the bees from the feeder's big red flowers. Perfect! The bees loved it. So I added another mini, then another. The bees love all three! So much that they seem to be leaving our other hummer feeders alone. Yay!

New-to-me native

This leggy little plant grows in one of our backyard beds. I sent photos to my plant expert Jerry, and he said it looks to be a Venus looking-glass (Triodanis perfoliata). I agree! It's an annual in the bellflower family. Not a fancy species at all, but the small bloom is so pretty.

Welcome to the world, little mantid

Lurking on the yarrow bloom...It's a big ol' world out there!