Butterfly On The Sweet William Flowers | Mrsroadrunner Photography

Butterfly On The Sweet William Flowers | Mrsroadrunner Photography




Meet the Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly we have here at the house in the High Desert of Oregon!





Of course this species of Swallowtail are not just at our garden, but many places here in the High Desert! There were several of these Yellow Swallowtail Butterflies here at the house on this day , I chose these Sweet William Flowers and their visitors to pay attention to!





Since this Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly is in perfect shape I do feel this one is new to the Butterfly world coming from close by! Some years is great for all kinds of Butterflies to show up here to our garden!

We grow the Sweet William flowers by seeds. The Sweet William flowers did very well the first year we put them in and the butterflies of all kinds like them so much we put more of them into the garden here and there!





The Yellow Swallowtail Butterflies have everything they need right here in our garden! From food to the mud we supply for water the butterflies drink from. We even do not mind when they lay their eggs here and there! Though I really feel the trees that are close by are really where the caterpillars live and feed. Way up high in those trees you can see where the Caterpillars are, this is where I feel they metamorphoses into butterflies.....

I may make a blog of one of these Yellow Swallowtails who look as if it just emerged, drying it's wings on a leaf.....





I do like this shot I took of the Yellow Swallowtail Butterflies sets of wings. Front are up while the back wings are down.





This shot above I wanted to show the Sweet William Flowers with the Yellow Swallowtail in the shot but more in the background. I sure do like these Sweet William Flowers! Easy to grow, we have the Sweet William Flowers in several locations of our small properties garden.

Thank you for coming by and checking out this Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly!!

Mud Dauber Wasp in The High Desert | Mrsroadrunner Photography

Mud Dauber Wasp in The High Desert | Mrsroadrunner Photography




Meet the Mud Dauber Wasp that we have at our pond getting what else? Mud!





At this stage of the game these Mud Dauber Wasps have never given me any reason to think they are aggressive. They come for the mud provided by this small pond of ours. Never have seen them at the other pond.....





The Mud Dauber Wasps do what they do, then fly off. We are pretty good about checking for nests of any kind here. Never have seen a nest of these! Nor do I want to.





I am a sucker for shadows, I just like them and when I see a shadow like above I have been known to show the photograph! When the Mud Dauber Wasps are busy they do tend to turn their head and the activity away from me. I have noticed this behavior in other species as well.





Since the Mud Dauber Wasp has done nothing to make me think they are a pest, I just let them be. However to my understanding others do consider these Mud Dauber Wasps pests. I do make such things as nest building undesirable here, even though other species can make a nest rather quickly! Surprising the both of us as to how fast and where nest building happens. We do have to destroy some nests due to the stinging behavior of some of these species.

In this shot you can see where the stinger is, perhaps this is why the Mud Dauber Wasp turns it's head away from me? I have no intentions of taking the mud this Mud Dauber Wasp is working on, however the Mud Dauber Wasp does not know this right?





In the above shot, you can see the round ball of mud this Mud Dauber Wasp is working on. Seeing them fly with the mud is quite funny for take off is a tad bit hard. There has to be a thinking process?? These photographs I got right in there due to the Mud Dauber Wasp has never shown any aggression my way. Though I do not think I push the creature either. The Mud Dauber Wasp just does not act as if it wants to sting.

Thank you for coming by and checking out these new photographs I worked on yesterday however took these photographs back some time ago... just never got around to looking at.

Western Tanager Visiting The Garden

Western Tanager Visiting The Garden




Meet the Western Tanager! One of the more flashier birds who have visited us here in our part of the High Desert of Oregon.



Primarily a insect eater, this Western Tanager also likes the fruit, such as our raspberries! This Western Tanager is near our raspberries checking out the situation. Though one of the small ponds is right there as well, so perhaps this Western Tanager was thinking of getting a drink?

It can get rather hot here where we live, the ponds give all the birds a nice safe break from the heat!



The first time I seen the Western Tanager was up in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness area just singing it's little heart out way up in the trees. It is nice to see them here at the house!



When the Western Tanager shows up, you just can not mix them up with other birds and they are fun to watch! Even though this one was not in any way trusting of me, or the dogs. This tells me this Western Tanager bird was not around for very long, or seeing this was in July one of the wildfires made this Western Tanager come this way?

Typical birds who stay here any length of time do get used to the activities around here.



The colorful Western Tanager took flight and went to the fruit tree as you can see in the next two photographs.



Keep a eye out for the visitors to your home, never know what is going to show up!

Thank you for coming by and checking out this visitor to our home!

Blooming Painted Daisy

Meet the Painted Daisy Bloom!



The Painted Daisy comes in many colors!! These were grown in the ground in 2014 and in 2015 I think I will try some in containers and see how they do here in the High Desert?

All the Painted Daisies for us bloomed on the north side of the property. I found it interesting that this plant is used as a natural insecticide.... repelling what we all consider, "bad insects", as well as tasting nasty to the browsing creatures. I of course just think these are lovely flowers!

As for the creatures who eat the garden up... I have yet to see a squirrel in our whole town! Seeing them outside of town on a farm, however this was a couple miles from town. We do have rabbits! At one time someone released pet rabbits!! Those have pretty much disappeared, after all we do have the birds of prey and the coyotes and the pet rabbits stick out with their colors that do not do well for surviving in such a town as ours! Wild bunnies are a whole different story!! They can be little stinkers!

Since we are early risers the deer have also been seen here in town. Though people have done pretty good about running them out of the town. Nothing like having the Mule Deer eating everything in site!! Dose not mean the Mule Deer do not spend the night and leave before sunrise!

I personally had a terrible time there for a couple years with someones pet ducks and chickens! The roosters would be under my window crowing hahahaha! I laugh for I got so mad! Now I can laugh about it ha! These pets ate up everything, so I was continually chasing them off!

The wild birds do nibble, however they really do not do all that much damage. Dogs, dogs do damage!! Why our dogs have their area! I can not do much about the dogs people do not keep at home.... charging our fence which means they have to go through the flower beds is something we just deal with. Also owners allowing their dog to urinating on our flowers is also something we just deal with.



Some flowers do great in the ground, while others do better in a container. Some flowers prefer one over the other here in our area. What you see is just a small part of a plant. The real goings on is under the soil where we can not see! So in 2015 I think I will play around with the soil and the Painted Daisy, time permitting of course!



I like these, they add some real flashy color to the flower beds!

Thank you for coming by and checking out my photographs of my Painted Daisies!

Spotted Towhee In The High Desert

Spotted Towhee In The High Desert




Meet the Spotted Towhee! The Spotted Towhee has been a constant resident here in our garden in winter clear into spring!



The Spotted Towhee is a very flashy , colorful bird who is not the most social species! The Spotted Towhee likes how we leave the vegetation for the winter to hide in, to do their thing in!

Gardens do look better for us in winter when folks go out and "clean up", removing the Sunflower stalks, Hollyhocks, Zinnias, veggie garden leaves and such. However, when we did this we did not get such birds here as the Spotted Towhee. Only until we started leaving such things out all winter did such birds show up and stay with us as the Spotted Towhee.



This is not the only post I wrote about the Spotted Towhee, doubt it will be the last? I really like the Spotted Towhee for the flashy color and the eyes!! Those eyes are just so neat!!

We have not had the Spotted Towhee nest here, so I do not get to see the baby birds grow up. In 2014 and 2015, (the Spotted Towhee is still here), from my observations each year more and more Spotted Towhee's show up! Perhaps coming here due to the food sources, (leaving stalks up all winter), and/or the protection factor?

The Spotted Towhee is super fun to watch! They scratch at the leaves etc. as chickens do, then if they see you they will take off like a flash!! Either running into a pile of bigger brush, or fly up into a tree for protection. The Spotted Towhee just does not care to be seen! From my observation the Spotted Towhee would just assume watch what you are doing from their "spot", if you are quick or find them paying attention to things like finding something to eat etc. you can get photographs!

I have noticed the Spotted Towhee does make use of the, "No cat zone", by running through our six foot dog kennel and hiding in the Raspberries that grow around one of our small ponds. The Spotted Towhee also likes our Lilacs and the pine tree that grows tall above some of the Lilacs we have. In 2014-2015 I have noticed them more in the pine tree, however as some folks may of heard me talk on social media, I have cleaned up outside due to the nice weather we had. This may have drove the Spotted Towhee into the Pine tree?? Because of this cleaning up, I have been throwing seed out there under the pine tree.



I have yet to see any Spotted Towhee at any bird feeder! Though hearing them just is here at home. They have a distinctive call which you can hear and read more about them here.

Keep in mind, my observations are mine. My photographs are also taken by me. I also read a lot about the native wildlife I photograph. If I do quote something from some book or website I will add it in here. I do not do this all that much..... I like to put in my observations and do like reading other peoples observations if I can find them....

Life Of The Gray Hairstreak Butterfly

Mrsroadrunner Photography | Life Of The Gray Hairstreak Butterfly




Meet the Gray Hairstreak Butterfly. If you have not been to my blog, or new to my blog then this butterfly is new to you. If you are a long time visitor to my photography and/or blog then this butterfly you should already know.



The Gray Hairstreak Butterfly showed up here to the house some years ago. Attracted to several of my plants, one being the Hollyhock Flowers and where I took these photographs was one of the Hollyhock Plants.



if you notice the leaves of the Hollyhock there in the photograph above? The holes are from insects. Perhaps the caterpillar of the Gray Hairstreak Butterfly? This is a good trade I think!

Guy says to me why dont you water with the agriculture water we pay every year for? I have spoken to several agencies about this water, it is run off from the farms and ranches. Several times a year chemicals are placed in the pipe lines to kill the algae that grows in the lines. I am told not to put this water into the ponds due to the chemicals.... so why would I want to put that water onto my plants? Would the water not kill off the caterpillar of such creatures as this Gray Hairstreak Butterfly?



This Gray Hairstreak Butterfly is laying eggs. Again if you are new to my blog this is new to you.

The creatures who visit, or even live their life here on our property with us tend to get used to my routine. Along with getting used to my routine, they get used to me. Unless the creature is new here, we have not gotten used to each other. However the new creatures to my garden do not feel comfortable enough to do such things as lay eggs right in front of me.



If you want to get such photographs I recommend getting a lens that can take such shots. Even if you have to get close, you can do it! The lens I like the most, which is always left on one of my camera bodies is a 70-300mm. This lens just works for me and I have two brands of the same lens. I like this lens that much!



Everyone has their own style when it comes to photography. My style is real basic. I shoot in manual, I try and make the shot count. These photographs are uploaded, looked through and the file is named. Uploaded to website. If I crop I will tell you. These photographs are not cropped. Like I said , once the butterflies get used to you. They let you get right into their business.



These photograph to some may seam like the exact same photograph. No, the Gray Hairstreak Butterfly is little!! The reference I give is, look at your thumb nail. That is pretty much the size of this Gray Hairstreak Butterfly, give or take of course for I have small hands.



The blue speices of butterfly I admit they confuse the crud out of me haha! There is quite a few of them, they are all small species of butterfly! Once your eyes see one species of blue..... you are trained to see them all!



As I have said on twitter , I like taking photographs of creatures doing what they are going to do if I am there or not.

No perfumes, I do not wear insect repellant. I also do not like my clothing to stink like perfume (however lets be real here I do not do laundry. I am not much of a domestic goddess ).

Perfumes , insect repellants etc. will not do you as a photography of wildlife any good! You may smell pretty to another person, but to the wildlife you want to photograph you may just stink? Anyhoo you get the point.



You can see the larger photographs, you should by clicking on the photographs. Again being organic has it's good and bad points. This I feel is a good thing, even though my flowers, the leaves or plants themselves take a hit and do not look perfect as another gardener who used chemicals to kill the good bugs, and the bad bugs.

Thank you for coming by my photography, if you read my rambling that you for listening!

Flight of The Bumble Bee

Mrsroadrunner Photography | Flight of The Bumble Bee




Meet one of my visitors! I have shown other photographs gotten of what I call a bumblebee.

This little series of shots taken in June of 2014 are on one of my many Lupine Flowers.



My observation of everything around me began as a child as many peoples had. I just never stopped. Many things I find interesting still today. Insects who visit my garden are some of the things I find interesting.



These days I have time to observe what I like too. Be it a small insect or a large mammal. As I had said before when this species showed up it was aggressive towards me After getting used to my routine , and if it wanted to work here in my garden, we were going to have to get along. After a couple days no more challenging me by flying into my face. Along with this behavior, others who showed up after the first one never showed this behavior to me. I found this interesting. As if in some way communication between the bees had happened without inviting me.



After everyone learned to get along taking photographs of this rather large insect got easier as far as being comfortable around each other.

Round and round the bee would go, doing it's work around the Lupine Flower. Starting at the bottom of the flower blooms and working it's way up until no more peddles were open.

Thank you for stopping by and see my photographs! Trying to show as many of my photographs as I can until the busy time of the year will start up for me, this will be spring, however the way the weather has been lately this might be earlier then I even thought?

Flying Western Meadowlark

Mrsroadrunner Photography | Flying Western Meadowlark




Meet the Western Meadowlark. Oregon state bird and one we have here in our area of the high desert of Oregon!

On my walks I take around my town the Western Meadowlarks are a constant companion. Singing, flying by. We are a area the Western Meadowlarks dose not appear to be having survival issues.



Flying by me pretty quickly, but I got the photograph! You can see the farm houses blurred in the back ground.

Thank you for coming by and seeing my Western Meadowlark bird flying photographs!

Sunflowers From My Garden

Mrsroadrunner Photography | Sunflowers From My Garden



On this day in September of 2014 the day was cloudy. I still got some photographs.

The sunflower is a yearly flower we grow for the beauty and for the birds. The colorful sunflower above has the tiny black sunflower seeds that contain oils that the big seeds contain, though not as much as the small black seeds.



With the white of the clouds this beauty still has a way of getting attention with its flashy colors!



Of course no garden is complete without the yellow sunflowers!







As you can see I do not cut off the new buds that start growing so the stalks do get top heavy with blooms.



You can click on whatever photograph to make it bigger.

The Sunflowers are a huge attraction for the birds! We do like them to grow along the 6' fence so the Sunflowers when (not if but when), the stalk get to heavy they have a place to lean or we can tie the stalks up to the fence.

2014 was a strange year for weather. The seeds were gobbled up quicker then previous years. We do leave the stalks up all winter long for the birds to use as perches, bedding or to find something usable on them. Then comes the time in springish to start putting the stalks in the mulch machine to add to the soil.



The Sunflower stalks also do well for keeping up the other flowers we grow here. Many flowers in our garden grow tall and get top heavy. The stalks are growing poles for the other flowers to use. Talking about attracting bee's!! All kinds of bee's love the Sunflower! In other posts I write about the BUZZZZZZZ that goes on here during peak growing times!

These are the photographs from this september cloudy day. Someone asked that their be more color, well my flower album is full of color and I have so many more floral photography to show..... I am getting through the 2014 photographs as I can. I do photograph every day. Winter is my slow time. Lets face it , winter time is COLD hahahahaha

Thank you for coming by and checking out my photography!

Finch Fledgeling Begging For Food

Mrsroadrunner Photography | Finch Fledgeling Begging For Food




Meet the wild Finches! This is the first one who got my attention! The Finches are year round song birds here at the house! The fledgeling ( baby ), is the one in the background.



The Fledgeling baby and the adult are hanging out, with a junco bird in the background.



The Fledgeling baby Finch does come to the feeder , garden, ponds all by itself. Though as you see here begging from dad as well!



You can see the male is doing his best to provide the youngster with something to eat!













The youngsters are never happy!!

Birds are fun to watch and photograph and I do both quite a lot!! Thank you for coming by and seeing my little series of shots!