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A Gathering Place for Monarchs

A Gathering Place for Monarchs

Last week I walked down to the Gathering Place to visit the Monarchs. There were literally dozens of them flying

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AROUND THE WEB

Regular Contributor to Focusing on Life.

Story Teller for Ali Edwards Design Team

Currently Teaching at Big Picture Classes.

My Portfolio - Kelly Ishmael Photography

It’s a full-time job keeping my hummingbird feed

It’s a full-time job keeping my hummingbird feeders filled up these days. Fall migration is underway, so right now these cuties are fueling up for their long journey south to Mexico and Central America.

In addition to nectar, hummingbirds will also feed on small insects and spiders to balance their diet with these necessary sources of protein. They will nearly double their weight as they prepare to fly hundreds, or even thousands of miles.

This urge to fly south is triggered by hormonal changes brought about by the shorter days. Typically adult males are the first to leave their breeding ranges so they don’t have to compete for food sources. I think it’s fascinating that they often take the same migration route from year to year.

I haven’t seen any male hummingbirds in about a week, but I have several females and juveniles that like to chase each other around my backyard. This sassy little gal likes to perch in the bushes and guard the feeder I have attached to my kitchen window. She keeps her eyes to the sky and when she spots another hummer nearby, she puffs up her feathers to make herself look as large as possible to ward off her competitor.

These fascinating little creatures are one of my favorite things about this time of year. And I hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I didn’t taking them. 💛
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#hummingbird #rubythroatedhummingbird #oklahomabirds #nature #naturephotography #naturelover #flowersandmacro #macro_brillance #nature_brillance #naturelovers #tv_allnature #tv_closeup #jj_justnature #ethereal_moods #still_life_nature #dofnature #dof_brilliance #bokeh_bliss #bokeh_and_blur #transfer_visions #tv_depthoffield #inspirenaturenow #charming_nature

Earlier this summer I removed the main heads from

Earlier this summer I removed the main heads from a couple of my leggy, overgrown succulents and replanted them. Then I basically forgot all about the rest of the plants. Fast forward three months and these leftovers have not only survived but thrived and grown dozens of new babies where they were originally trimmed.

This really spoke to my heart for a couple of reasons. The first is a reminder that new things can grow from the most unexpected places. And sometimes it just takes a little time and patience.

As always, nature is the best teacher. And I hope this encourages you like it did me.
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#succulents #succulentlove #succulentsofinstagram #leaveonlyleaves #moody_tones #moodforfloral #moodyflorals #inspirenaturenow #charming_nature_ #macro_moms #flowersandmacro #tv_allnature #tv_closeup #jj_justnature

Doing my best to soak up every last bit of summer.

Doing my best to soak up every last bit of summer.
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#gatheredstyle #foreverfaffing #loveliest4 #astilllifestyle #floral_faffery #still_life_gallery #tv_stillife #jj_still_life #tv_living #global_ladies #transfer_visions #tv_neatly #tv_flowers #tv_retro #etherealmoods #moody_tones #moodforfloral #moodyflorals #curated_nature #ihavethisthingwithflowers #stylingtheseasons #petalsandprops #floralperfection #thefolkpr0ject #blissfulphotoart #creative_florals #kaigarden2021

Butterfly sightings in the garden always make me h

Butterfly sightings in the garden always make me happy. But this beauty, a Giant Swallowtail made me positively giddy since it was the first time I have ever seen one in my yard.

Like their name implies, Giant Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio cresphontes) are the largest of all North American butterflies and typically reside near wooded areas. Although lucky for me, though they are known to grace residential gardens as well. So I took that opportunity to spend a few blissful minutes capturing this enchanting creature and then said a little prayer of gratitude for the delight and the joy it brought to my day.

It’s been a good year for butterflies in my yard - both in terms of raising them and attracting them. And I think one of the reasons is because I made the decision early on to not use any insect spray around my garden.

The only problem with that decision is that, in addition to butterflies, it’s also been a very good year for flies, moths, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, wasps, praying mantis, spiders, and aphids. Some of which are natural predators for both butterflies and butterfly larva.

I hesitate to refer to these insects as “bad” because in the natural world, each of them has their place in the cycle of life. They each carry out some kind of function that matters in the grand scheme of things. (Although I wish something other than mosquitoes could do what they do without leaving itchy red bump on my legs.)

The point I’m trying to make is that, in order to have a hospitable environment for attracting and raising butterflies, I also have to allow these, shall we say, “less desirable” creatures in my yard. So if that means having to swat the cloud of tiny moths away from the back door to get in the house every evening, then that’s what I’ll do.

This lesson in the yard has also been the lesson of my life these past several years. A reminder to me that by openly inviting beauty and joy and wonder into my life, I must also allow heartache and struggle to have a place here as well. The challenge of the later making the joy much sweeter. 💛

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