Right now, in the middle of summer, when I look out the window, I almost always catch a glimpse of House Wrens, a Tiger Swallowtail, and Ruby throated Hummingbird, Chipmunks and Squirrels. Cabbage White butterflies are everywhere.
When I'm out in the garden, I also see Silver spotted Skippers and smaller skippers too. Bumblebees, Honeybees, and tons of other wasps and bees, occasionally unusual ones. Resident Praying Mantises in their usual places, and spiders of course. Cicadas are out in force, and Dragonflies too. Black Swallowtails are occasional visitors so far but Monarch butterflies should be making daily visits very soon.
Other bird visitors include Chickadees and Titmouses, Cardinals, Cat birds, Mourning Doves, Goldfinches, Robins, occasional Mockingbirds, House sparrows, etc.
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
Everything on your list except the chipmunks... I guess we are too citified for them.
Mourning cloak butterflies. Zebra swallowtails. Blue jays, house and goldfinches, several varieties of sparrows, nuthatches, downy and hairy woodpeckers and red bellied woodpeckers (and very occasionally the red headed woodpecker), occasionally carolina wrens, chickadees. Where we were before this on the 5 acre wooded property (only about 5 blocks from here, but it had that little woods) we were keeping a list of all the birds we saw from the bedroom window and we were over 40 different species. Haven't seen catbirds here, though we did there. But we have starlings and grackles to replace them. Fortunately not too many.
Groundhog, raccoon, opossum, and of course the outdoor cats.
Mourning cloak butterflies. Zebra swallowtails. Blue jays, house and goldfinches, several varieties of sparrows, nuthatches, downy and hairy woodpeckers and red bellied woodpeckers (and very occasionally the red headed woodpecker), occasionally carolina wrens, chickadees. Where we were before this on the 5 acre wooded property (only about 5 blocks from here, but it had that little woods) we were keeping a list of all the birds we saw from the bedroom window and we were over 40 different species. Haven't seen catbirds here, though we did there. But we have starlings and grackles to replace them. Fortunately not too many.
Groundhog, raccoon, opossum, and of course the outdoor cats.
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lorax
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 1316
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:48 pm
- Location: Ecuador, USDA Zone 13, at 10,000' of altitude
In the highland garden (where I spend most of my time): Sparkling Violetear and Spangled Trainbearer hummingbirds, with the occasional Hillstar making an appearance; Crested Andean (Rufous-collared) sparrows, Giant Thrushes, Giant Andean Wrens, three or four types of finches, Scarlet Flycatchers, a couple of types of Grosbeak, and Ecuadorean Ground Doves, with occasional flybys by Peregrine Falcons, Black Vultures, and once, a Condor. In smaller critters, I get the occasional rat, which my cat chases off.
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/SparklingVioletear.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/AvocadoandSparrow.jpg[/img]
In insect life, I've got stingless honeybees, solitary highland carpenter bees, ladybugs, and a couple of different kinds of giant scarab beetles. Not much for flutterbies at this altitude - the occasional Monarch or Admiral is about it.
However....
In the amazon garden (where I spend less time), the bird-list runs to the hundreds of species, the coolest of which (IMHO) are the Blue-capped Tanagers, Paradise Tanagers, Yellow-rumped Caciques (not for their looks, but for their song), Kiskadees (pictured), Yellow and Grey-capped flycatchers, and Puffleg hummies, with occasional visits from sulfur woodpeckers. Of course, the crested sparrows, vultures (here called "the mayor's chickens") and ground doves are everywhere. Occasionally, there are noisy flocks of green parrotlets, and twice now I've been divebombed by Quetzals. I know I'm missing species on this list, particularly hummies - I keep track in a logbook when I'm in the amazon, and my best week saw almost 300 species.
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Wildlife/GreaterKiskadee.jpg[/img]
Bugs in the amazon garden are also way cooler and more numerous. I've got tons of butterflies, the neatest of which are probably the Morphos, but I've also got glasswings, Fritillaries, Monarchs, Viceroys, Admirals, and tons more that I haven't ID'd yet. I get giant leaf-katydids, really big grasshoppers, giant solitary bees, metallic green bees (one of my personal faves), Dobsonflies (scary!), and a whole variety of ants, ranging from Argentines (tiny) to Leafcutters (annoying) to Army Ants on occasion (goodbye, garden.) Also, although it's kind of gross to admit it, there are giant tropical cockroaches. It's made up for by the equal presence of tarantulas - I cultivate my spiders. And of course, wasps of varying sizes and dispositions, and attractive pollinator beetles. And centipedes, really big ones. The bug list runs into the thousands.
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Wildlife/Katydid.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/DSCN1012.jpg[/img]
I also see quite a few treefrogs and ditch frogs/toads, and I let skinks in the house when I find 'em (they eat ants and roaches).
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/AfrogonourJasminetreeinPuyo.jpg[/img]
In the four-legged and furry department, I have Huanchaka (possum), rats, tiny Brocket Deer (goodbye, hibiscus), the occasional Guanta (Agouti), and on several memorable occasions, I've been visited by troops of squirrel monkeys (goodbye, all my fruit.) Until I figured it out to sacrifice a bunch of bananas to them, they stripped my garden bare.
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Wildlife/SquirrelMonkeys.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/SparklingVioletear.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/AvocadoandSparrow.jpg[/img]
In insect life, I've got stingless honeybees, solitary highland carpenter bees, ladybugs, and a couple of different kinds of giant scarab beetles. Not much for flutterbies at this altitude - the occasional Monarch or Admiral is about it.
However....
In the amazon garden (where I spend less time), the bird-list runs to the hundreds of species, the coolest of which (IMHO) are the Blue-capped Tanagers, Paradise Tanagers, Yellow-rumped Caciques (not for their looks, but for their song), Kiskadees (pictured), Yellow and Grey-capped flycatchers, and Puffleg hummies, with occasional visits from sulfur woodpeckers. Of course, the crested sparrows, vultures (here called "the mayor's chickens") and ground doves are everywhere. Occasionally, there are noisy flocks of green parrotlets, and twice now I've been divebombed by Quetzals. I know I'm missing species on this list, particularly hummies - I keep track in a logbook when I'm in the amazon, and my best week saw almost 300 species.
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Wildlife/GreaterKiskadee.jpg[/img]
Bugs in the amazon garden are also way cooler and more numerous. I've got tons of butterflies, the neatest of which are probably the Morphos, but I've also got glasswings, Fritillaries, Monarchs, Viceroys, Admirals, and tons more that I haven't ID'd yet. I get giant leaf-katydids, really big grasshoppers, giant solitary bees, metallic green bees (one of my personal faves), Dobsonflies (scary!), and a whole variety of ants, ranging from Argentines (tiny) to Leafcutters (annoying) to Army Ants on occasion (goodbye, garden.) Also, although it's kind of gross to admit it, there are giant tropical cockroaches. It's made up for by the equal presence of tarantulas - I cultivate my spiders. And of course, wasps of varying sizes and dispositions, and attractive pollinator beetles. And centipedes, really big ones. The bug list runs into the thousands.
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Wildlife/Katydid.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/DSCN1012.jpg[/img]
I also see quite a few treefrogs and ditch frogs/toads, and I let skinks in the house when I find 'em (they eat ants and roaches).
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/AfrogonourJasminetreeinPuyo.jpg[/img]
In the four-legged and furry department, I have Huanchaka (possum), rats, tiny Brocket Deer (goodbye, hibiscus), the occasional Guanta (Agouti), and on several memorable occasions, I've been visited by troops of squirrel monkeys (goodbye, all my fruit.) Until I figured it out to sacrifice a bunch of bananas to them, they stripped my garden bare.
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Wildlife/SquirrelMonkeys.jpg[/img]
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applestar
- Mod
- Posts: 30551
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
Ooooh! (Excuse me rainbowgardener 
) Lorax I was waiting for your reply. I knew you'll be listing what to us are exotic critters, though I was surprised to see some of our common butterflies in your list. I do get Red Admirals in my garden, and Fritillaries.
You've mentioned your "amazon garden" before. What is that exactly? Sounds fascinating and is peaking my curiosity. If you've explained in detail elsewhere, just give me the link and I'll go read.
) Lorax I was waiting for your reply. I knew you'll be listing what to us are exotic critters, though I was surprised to see some of our common butterflies in your list. I do get Red Admirals in my garden, and Fritillaries.You've mentioned your "amazon garden" before. What is that exactly? Sounds fascinating and is peaking my curiosity. If you've explained in detail elsewhere, just give me the link and I'll go read.
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lorax
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 1316
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:48 pm
- Location: Ecuador, USDA Zone 13, at 10,000' of altitude
I haven't actually explained my Amazon garden before, applestar. I share the upkeep and guard duties of about 10 ha (25 acres) of upper Amazon Transitional Forest; within it I've got permaculture gardens and we're working to reforest the surrounding areas with native trees. The forest type I work in is the point at which the Andes meets the Amazon, and it has some of the characteristics of higher-altitude cloud forests as well as the lower terra-firma forest that you'd be most familiar with as "rainforest" (although that term is a blanket - within the Ecuadorean Amazon alone there are at least 10 distinct forest types.) In my permaculture gardens, I grow papaya, banana, arazaa (jungle fruit), cacao, coffee, borojo, tagua (palm ivory) and a number of other Amazon cash-crops (all of which are sold for the upkeep of the forest project.) The forest is located on the lower slopes of the Cordillera de las Llanganates in the province of Pastaza; the nearest town you'd find on a map is called Mera.
This is a view of the general area, looking South across the Pastaza River basin towards Volcan Sangay. Pics from inside the forest are less awe-inspiring than the vistas; I'll start an Ecuador thread later with pics of more of the country.
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Landscapes/Sangay.jpg[/img]
In addition to the regular visitors I mentioned in my last post, the forest is home to Andean Spectacled Bears, Puma, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, and at least one Jaguar (I haven't seen her, but I hear her coughing on occasion); our major prey species are Javelina, the deer, and Tapir.
In contrast, my highland garden, in the city of Ambato, is a proving ground. It's located at about 10,000 feet of altitude in a highland desert, and I'm learning about what can and can't be grown successfully here, as well as pushing crops that are not traditionally grown in the Sierra. People have told me on several occasions that I'm loca for growing bananas here, but I truly believe that very little is truly impossible - it's just statistically improbable, that's all. I live on a site that used to be part of the Inca royal gardens; I have excellent soil, and nearby (25 km) Volcan Tungurahua, which is active, provides me with excellent fertilizer by way of ash. When I talk about the highland garden, I'm growing many of the same things that you do up in the US.
Here's a day and night view of the volcano I can see from my doorstep. The day view gives an idea of the landscape; I'm off to take pictures of Volcan Chimborazo in a bit, because it's clear as a bell - I'll post them later.
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Landscapes/Tugurahua.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/DSCN3076a.jpg[/img]
This is a view of the general area, looking South across the Pastaza River basin towards Volcan Sangay. Pics from inside the forest are less awe-inspiring than the vistas; I'll start an Ecuador thread later with pics of more of the country.
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Landscapes/Sangay.jpg[/img]
In addition to the regular visitors I mentioned in my last post, the forest is home to Andean Spectacled Bears, Puma, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, and at least one Jaguar (I haven't seen her, but I hear her coughing on occasion); our major prey species are Javelina, the deer, and Tapir.
In contrast, my highland garden, in the city of Ambato, is a proving ground. It's located at about 10,000 feet of altitude in a highland desert, and I'm learning about what can and can't be grown successfully here, as well as pushing crops that are not traditionally grown in the Sierra. People have told me on several occasions that I'm loca for growing bananas here, but I truly believe that very little is truly impossible - it's just statistically improbable, that's all. I live on a site that used to be part of the Inca royal gardens; I have excellent soil, and nearby (25 km) Volcan Tungurahua, which is active, provides me with excellent fertilizer by way of ash. When I talk about the highland garden, I'm growing many of the same things that you do up in the US.
Here's a day and night view of the volcano I can see from my doorstep. The day view gives an idea of the landscape; I'm off to take pictures of Volcan Chimborazo in a bit, because it's clear as a bell - I'll post them later.
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Landscapes/Tugurahua.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/DSCN3076a.jpg[/img]
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
I encourage birds and animals to frequent my property. I can't put a boat on the dock but the seals don't mind. I am also a deer hunter but have an agreement with the local deer that I won't put them on the table. 
I can kill and eat a deer but I can't seem to bring myself to eat a layer chicken who no longer lays. 
Loving nature and the outdoors does not preclude using all it's resources. The river gives up a few striped bass for the table as well and it sure is tough to beat a piece of 20 minute old fish with fresh veggies from the garden...NOW that's being at one with nature.
I guess I left out a lot of photos from the garden proper but it's all a garden to me.
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/P1050120-1.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/IM000013.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/IM000010-1.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/IM000011.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/hawk025.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/seals-1.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/P1050259.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/P1060201.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/P1050181.jpg[/img]
I can kill and eat a deer but I can't seem to bring myself to eat a layer chicken who no longer lays. Loving nature and the outdoors does not preclude using all it's resources. The river gives up a few striped bass for the table as well and it sure is tough to beat a piece of 20 minute old fish with fresh veggies from the garden...NOW that's being at one with nature. I guess I left out a lot of photos from the garden proper but it's all a garden to me.
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/P1050120-1.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/IM000013.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/IM000010-1.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/IM000011.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/hawk025.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/seals-1.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/P1050259.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/P1060201.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/planter_01/P1050181.jpg[/img]
15 or 20 miles south of Beantown by land and about 10 over the water. I know the pics are for the most part NOT garden photos but I figure it's all garden if you squint your eyes just right.
I just wish I was a little bit warmer than Z6.. So many things I want to plant just don't work here even though I keep trying Z7 plants...
I just wish I was a little bit warmer than Z6.. So many things I want to plant just don't work here even though I keep trying Z7 plants...
our regular visitors depend on the time of year..right now it is black bear, coyote, white tail deer, oppossum, skunk, rabbit, racoon, probably fox but I don't see them. Squirrels, rodents (the cats eat them). Also tons of birds..just about any kind of bird..we have a falcon that hunts at our bird feeder, death drama out the window..
we have birds from the tiny hummers and wrens to the big guys, blue herons, eagles, hawks, geese, ducks, buzzards, etc..and everything in between..lots of baby birds right now at the feeders and birdbaths..
also lots of fun insects..I saw the photos of the leafcutter ants..we have leafcutter bees..photos on my facebook page
facebook
Brenda Kay Groth (from Manton Michigan) you are welcome to friend me, just let me know you were from this site..and I'll approve any requests.
we have birds from the tiny hummers and wrens to the big guys, blue herons, eagles, hawks, geese, ducks, buzzards, etc..and everything in between..lots of baby birds right now at the feeders and birdbaths..
also lots of fun insects..I saw the photos of the leafcutter ants..we have leafcutter bees..photos on my facebook page
Brenda Kay Groth (from Manton Michigan) you are welcome to friend me, just let me know you were from this site..and I'll approve any requests.
We have lots of deer and a buck that hang out close to the house, rabbits, chipmunks squirrels, assorted rodents, snakes, raccoons, bear occasionally, elk some times, hawks, eagles, palliated wood peckers, sapsucker woodpeckers, turkey vultures they are a big bird, humming birds and tons of other smaller birds. Also grouse, quail and owls visit. Coyotes. Salamanders, butterflies, and an assortment of bugs. We have some fish, frogs, and toads. I have seen a lynx’s. Some times the neighbors horses get loose and come by, we had to round up one neighbors cows that got out, I got to play cowboy. Last and not least our neighbor to the north’s dog comes by for a petting. I know I am missing a few critters that come by.
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NorthCoastGardener
- Full Member
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 3:34 pm
- Location: Eureka, California
We are on the coast in northern California, no reptiles, imagine its too cold for them. Plenty of bees that visit my lavender plants, including big black bumblebees, and a number of butterflies visit my butterfly bushes. We have a number of local cats that hang out in our garden and sleep beneath my abelia and butterfly bushes in spring and summer. Mostly sparrows and starlings, a few chickadees here and there. Robins arrive when the holly tree berries are ripe and eat most of the berries in winter. We have only a few hummingbirds that show up in the garden, even though I have plenty of plants they enjoy, maybe its too cold for them on the coast. We have a few families of raccoons that show up at night and get into mischief, one family is a mom and four babies. The raccoons like to take the agates and redwood bark I have in the top of my planters on the back deck and throw them around the deck, probably looking for food. Its not too messy and they are fun to watch when we catch a glimpse of them late night, usually because they wake us up from hanging off the wood beams covering our back door.
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sweet thunder
- Senior Member
- Posts: 210
- Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:43 pm
- Location: Eureka, CA
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NorthCoastGardener
- Full Member
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 3:34 pm
- Location: Eureka, California
We are located on the west side of Eureka. We used to vacation in Ferndale and loved the area so much we moved here three years ago from Sonoma County. Love the coastal climate!tomf wrote:My wife is from Ferndale, what part of town are you from?
Hi sweet thunder, nice to know another person from my area is on the board. I haven't seen any salamanders around in our yard as of yet, but heard some frogs in our front yard though never saw them.
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