Indeed, this is a wonderful time of the year, spring and summer. New life is bursting forth! Always fun to watch!
Three titmouse eggs covered in fur/hair courtesy of Gracie! Several days ago, I saw the titmouse carrying in the fur after I had finished brushing Gracie. I resisted the urge to look for a few days. I did not want to scare her away. So now we got three eggs! Yesterday there were just two. Usually there are 6 to 8 eggs. Therefore, I will be watching for more. The mama takes on the sole responsible for incubation for 12 to 14 days. Then papa will return to help tend the young. Nestlings will become fledglings in 15 to 18 days.
Spreading Sida (Sida abutifolia) opens in the bright sunshine. So it is slow to “wake up” in the morning. As the common name suggests, it lies close to the ground. It prefers limestone and rocky prairies, in this case, our driveway. Several butterflies like the plants in the Malvaceae family, including the genus Sida. The three mentioned in the Flora of North Central Texas are Gray Hairstreak, Common Checkered Skipper and the Streaky Skipper. I have yet to see any of them on it.
It is a delightful small flower measuring in at only about one centimeter!
Horsemint (Monarda citriodora) and the other in other species in genus Monarda are blooming now!
While I took my photo, a beetle stopped in!
A white Western Horse Nettle (Solanum dimidiatum)! Interesting to note that along our driveway near the house, most of them are white. Further out, most are the lavender color. I wonder if it is the soil difference? Oh and you just missed the bumblebee. Also I missed the shot LOL.
Simultaneously, the Green Lynx, the weevil and beetle were all on this Brown-eyed Susan. Additionally, on the stem were aphids. Nice to see all that life!
So this one centimeter weevil stopped at a small ant mound right below the Brown-eyed Susan above. One lone ant crawled over it as I watched. Did it tickle? In fact, it did not twitch one bit. 🙂 So maybe not…
When I had long-haired dogs, I often left their shed hair out for birds after brushing. Love that recycling opportunity!
So exciting to have Gracie hair and titmouse!!
If you see Sida seeds I would be interested to try starting it…
Ok, I will watch for some. Or get a plant for you. 😊 It is perennial.