Backyard Wildlife

Posted in Birds, Butterflies, Georgia, Nature, WildlifeTagged , , , , ,

I never know what I might see when I walk out my back door.

One day a juvenile horned owl stopped to search for a tasty morsel in the marsh.

Juvenile Horned Owl
Juvenile Horned Owl

Another day this diamond back terrapin took a wrong turn into our back yard.

Diamondback Terrapin
Diamondback Terrapin

The ruby throated hummingbirds come by for a drink every day.

Hummingbird on feeder
Hummingbird on feeder

It’s been a constant battle keeping the aphids off my milkweed but I have had an occasional Monarch stop by.

Monarch on Milkweed
Monarch on Milkweed

I spotted my first caterpillar of the summer on August 24!

Monarch Caterpillar August 2016
Monarch Caterpillar August 2016

All the butterflies love the Mexican Sunflowers I planted this year.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly
Black Swallowtail Butterfly
Black Swallowtail Butterfly
Black Swallowtail Butterfly
Gulf Fritillary on Mexican Sunflower
Gulf Fritillary on Mexican Sunflower

And the bees love it, too.

Bee on Mexican Sunflower
Bee on Mexican Sunflower

36 thoughts on “Backyard Wildlife”

  2. Even though I’ve gotten lazy with my camera it seems that each morning when Peggy and I make our rounds here at the campground there are new and unexpected critter surprises to be seen. That, and we notice litter that campers have left behind, or which recent rains have revealed. Being “observant” can be a pain sometimes. 😬😎

    Lovely images!!!!

    We’ve got a family of owls here that have been delighting us and the campers all summer. The other evening we were walking the campground and one of the babies (not so small anymore) had perched on a campsite post and we got within about 15 feet; then just standing there until he/she decided to fly off in search of something to eat. They are so amazing and SILENT!

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      1. We’ve seen three of mating pair and twin offspring. They had a nest in a large oak near our site 10, and would drive campers crazy overnight. Once they fledged they have sort of adopted two separate flyways where they have hung out during the summer.
        Coincidentally — we notice a decline in the numbers of chipmunks and small squirrels :-\

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      2. If you ever get a chance, there is a new-ish PBS hour long program specifically about owls with a fascinating segment about how quietly they fly — if you ever get a chance, be sure to watch — it’s amazing!

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  6. You take great pictures! We are heading to GA and SC this fall. I was wondering if you could tell me and my husband the best spots for camping in a fifth wheel and sites to see. It seems you know the best spots in the area.

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  7. I love your photos Beth, and your assorted backyard wildlife. I wuld so love to see an owl of any kind, just sitting like that so I could get a good picture. I need some milkweed plants at my new place, but I didn’t know they attracted aphids. I would love to see more butterflies and hummers.

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  9. You have a wonderful assortment of backyard wildlife. You obviously garden with the birds and bees and butterflies (and caterpillars) in mind. Your visit from the owl is especially cool!

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    1. Laurel, thank you. Yes, I have a very small butterfly garden and three hummingbird feeders. And the owl was a huge surprise. We think there is a nest in our neighborhood somewhere but don’t know exactly where it is.

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  11. Judy is right, your photos are beautiful and they do feed the soul. Have to admit I have never heard of Mexican sunflowers but now I want them! I will have to check and see if they will grow here.

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  13. Hi Beth, thanks for your reply. We are planning on traveling from eureka, mo to GA and SC for about 3 week trip. Our fifthwheel is 30 ft.long and we like state parks, Corp of engineer pks. And sometimes rv pks. with full hookups. Would like to see historic Savannah & civil war sites, possibly Stephen foster state pk. Your opinion and advice will be greatly appreciated on GA & SC camping/things to see.

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    1. We live ear Savannah so have never camped there but Skidaway Island State Park and Fort McCallister State Parks are both good options for exploring Savannah. The only place in South Carolina we have camped is Hunting Island State Park and I would recommend it. Foley Beach SP is supposed to be good and there is a county park on James Island near Charleston I have heard good things about. There are some nice COE parks on Strom Thermond Lake near Augusta. Good luck and have fun!

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        1. Yes, but it’s too far from Savannah for a day trip. Savannah national wildlife refuge is closer to Savannah and you may see alligators there. If you would like to see Dolphins go on a dolphin tour with Captain Mike’s on Tybee Island.

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