Bits and Pieces

We share the environment with lots of deer. That said, my neighbor has been determined to grow lilies. As most of you may know, deer think of lilies as the best dessert around. They often pull off the large buds, not waiting for them to open. My friend has carefully watered, fertilized, and regularly spread deer deterrent around and on her lilies. They were beginning to bud when she left for a long vacation. She asked me to water her plants and care for her lilies.

The lilies are in full bloom, and I doubt they will still be blooming in another two weeks when my neighbor returns. I took my camera over and made a few photographs of her gorgeous lilies. At least she will have the pictures to enjoy.

Walking back to our house, I saw this butterfly, enjoying the Bleeding Hearts.

I came back and sat on the deck for half an hour, hoping to catch the little Pileated Woodpecker make a try for the suet feeder. No such luck. But I did turn around to find an obliging hummingbird.

Sometimes beauty comes at unexpected times.

Wild Azalea

Mountain azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) is an orange wild azalea that grows in thickets and open woods in Western North Carolina (WNC). It blooms (depending upon the elevation) from mid-Spring until early Summer. I recall that it seemed more abundant when I was a child, but we all know how inaccurate some of our childhood memories are. It is now close to peak in our area. It does not bloom as early as the cultivated azaleas and the bushes are more gangly and less dense. I recently found some and it is a lovely treat for the eyes.

The Mountain Laurel is still blooming in profusion. This is one of the best years for the Laurel in a long time. It will continue to bloom for another three weeks or so and the forests are filled with their beauty.

We have plants on the deck to attract the butterflies and hummingbirds. I caught an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail getting some nectar.

And the heat wave continues. At this writing (7:38 PM EDT) it is still 79 degrees! The air is still and the birds are quiet. Here, in the cool mountains, it is 79 degrees this late in the evening!