KarensGardenTips.com » Critters: Animals in the Garden

How to Attract Butterflies to the Garden in Spring

Karen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:00:49 +0000

Read 'How to Attract Butterflies to the Garden in Spring' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

The garden is usually filled with butterflies in summer but often has few in spring. True, many are still sleeping, but you can attract those that are “out and about” by making your garden butterfly friendly. Just provide for the basic needs of [...]

Ten Interesting Facts about Groundhogs

Karen — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Read 'Ten Interesting Facts about Groundhogs' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

The furry little critter that emerges from his hole in spring is cute but is he a good garden visitor? He certainly captured the imagination of the American movie going public after the 1993 movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, and thousands of people [...]

Black Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilio polyxenes) as Garden Guests

Karen — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:35:13 +0000

Read 'Black Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilio polyxenes) as Garden Guests' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

This year was a great year for butterflies in our area and many mornings I counted 10-15 butterflies in my garden at one time. Most of these were tiger swallowtails but black swallowtails, buckeyes, and monarchs occasionally visited. My butterfly bush, pink cone flowers, [...]

Ten Interesting Facts About Ladybugs

Karen — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:50:32 +0000

Read 'Ten Interesting Facts About Ladybugs' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Who doesn’t like ladybugs? I have ladybug earrings with matching pin and pendant, my granddaughter was given a ladybug decorated swimsuit and cover up, and I’ve seen dozens more ladybug items (really cute shoes for a toddler!). We all learn very early that ladybugs are good insects [...]

Bird Profile: Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

Karen — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:40:04 +0000

Read 'Bird Profile: Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Among the faithful birds at our feeder during the winter are the tufted titmice. They usually come with the chickadees and white breasted nuthatches and seem to arrive at the same time that we eat breakfast and lunch. The titmice are a bit bossier than some [...]

Bird Profile: White Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

Karen — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:56:17 +0000

Read 'Bird Profile: White Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Everybody loves nuthatches! And why not? Their habit of running up and down trees at various angles captivates the eye of those who see them; they will come to your feeder for suet and big meaty seeds at all times of the year providing good [...]

Bird Profile: Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Karen — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:27:16 +0000

Read 'Bird Profile: Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Beware of the great blue heron! If a large gray cloud comes suddenly out of the sky and drops down on the edge of your fishpond, drop whatever you are doing and run shouting and waving your arms toward the bird. If you hesitate you [...]

Bird Profile: Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

Karen — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:46:31 +0000

Read 'Bird Profile: Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

When cold temperatures and snow settle on our garden many new birds find their way to our feeders. The Carolina Wren is not a frequent visitor but when he comes we welcome him. His upright tail and round plump body make him easy to pick out [...]

Bird Profile: Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

Karen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:22:22 +0000

Read 'Bird Profile: Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

The diminutive downy woodpecker is one of the first birds to come to our feeder as fall arrives and its acrobatics and high activity make it a welcome resident of our garden and dining companion to the nuthatches and chickadees that also frequent our feeders. Although [...]

Ten interesting Facts about Bats

Karen — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:17:51 +0000

Read 'Ten interesting Facts about Bats' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Most people probably don’t want one fact about bats, let alone 10, but I’ll bet if you read this you will find at least one of them interesting. I will admit that they are not my favorite animal but the head garden became involved with bats in [...]