Cope's Grey Tree Frog - Are you a Boy or are you a Girl?

What a face! We found this little tree frog sitting on a branch in a large clump of glossy privet. The tree has small white flower clusters that are extremely attractive to bees and wasps. It is as prolific as our elderberry (which is a nice way of saying it has an invasive habit, lol.). We've kept it only because of the insect life it attracts to our gardens. The house came with a lot more privet around the property. We've removed most of it.

While this little fellow is not as bright and colorful as some other frogs, his coloration blends in very well with the bark of the tree. He may be a gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor), or a Cope's Grey tree frog (Hyla chrysoscelis).

We are in the Piedmont area of North Carolina so it is more likely the Cope's variety. We're unsure if this is a male or female.

Actius luna aka Lunar Moth - What a Beauty!

This spectacular moth rested on one of my neighbors' hickory trees for quite a while. The photo was taken from my yard, so its not as good a shot as it could have been. This was the early afternoon/late morning when I spied him. He most likely had just emerged from his cocoon and was waiting for his wings to dry. These moths do all their eating in their caterpillar stage. As winged beauties, they mate and die within about a week.

This guy seems like a natural for jewelry. Found some earrings, a pendant, mounted specimens, but didn't see a brooch that really captured this lovely bug. I'd love a deco-type version to pin on a hat!

Early Spring - Anenomes and Tulips

The garden blogging ended as the drought really took hold last summer. Water restrictions here were only recently lifted as the rains are finally coming. I've got several beauties ready to be planted, but it looks like the ground will be too wet for digging for a while.

In the meantime, though, the garden is coming alive. Some of the daffodils have already come and gone. The tulips have only just began to bloom. Above is a pink one with highlighting on the petal edges (from a bag of mixed tulips that came as a bonus with an order from Blooming Bulb the fall before last). I'm surprised - pleasantly of course! - to see this guy back. I've bought mainly species tulips as I haven't expected others to be able to handle the combo of our clay soils and mild winters.

This fragrant tulip with the charcoal eye is Little Beauty - a carefree species tulip. Species tulips are those that occur naturally in the wild. They tend to not be as fussy as the hybrids they have spawned - and return more reliably without being lifted. Now if only I could find a tulip the critters around here wouldn't consider a tasty snack!

Looking Through the leaves up at a Fall Sky

This was taken last fall, around October I think. On a beautifully clear day in Greensboro, North Carolina.