Notes from the Rain Garden

It's pretty lush out here.

There was rain in May, about 10 inches over average. My yard has taken on jungle qualities. The trees grew in feet, not inches. Everything is leafy and lush, including the rain garden.

The fountain continues to be a haven for birds. The sparrows have built a second nest in the lilac tree. I didn't realize how big a nest European sparrows build when they have the space. It's about the size of a volleyball. There are also catbirds, cardinals, mourning doves, downy woodpeckers, robins galore, a bluejay family, redtail hawks, the occasional grackle, and goldfinches. So, it's a bird-loud space.

Bee friend on coreopsis.

Finally, as July set in, we are seeing bees. It was a bit too quiet in May and June. Now the rain garden is literally humming. If you sit or stand next to it and listen, you can hear the buzzing. It's pretty cool, really.

Hello, there!

Monarch on Asclepias syriaca

Along with bees, have come butterflies. As you can tell, I've let the milkweed go a bit. I can't help myself. On the few occasions it's been pleasant enough to open the windows, my whole house is filled with the fragrance of milkweed blossoms. We also have resident monarch butterflies. They've been laying a series of eggs, but the bird pressure is too high and we don't have caterpillars for long. I think the black swallowtails found the fennel finally. It's a happening place, the rain garden.