It never gets old. Even though it happens every year when there are flowers aplenty, when there are baby birds that need to be fed fresh caterpillars every few minutes to squelch their squawking, the first sighting of the returning resident critters of the Fairegarden causes us to squeal with delight and run for the camera.
These early butterflies, the Eastern tiger swallowtail in particular are flitting madly from flower to flower. They seldom rest and sip as they do later in the season, allowing for the human to creep up close and click the shutter at just the right moment.
It is a mad dash of nectar grabbing on the go. It is also mad clicking, hoping for a lucky shot that might be in focus. My photography is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get until the images are uploaded on the laptop. I shoot on auto and snap with abandon, don’t even look to see what was captured until the orgy is over.
The first critter spotted and recorded for 2012 was the frog in the pond, written about here and again here. He is growing more bold as he is growing larger. He sometimes moves over to the sunnier rocks to gaze upon the water and snooze. His toes amaze me, I have a foot fetish. That might explain the attraction to shoes.
The warm weather has awoken the Eastern box turtles. Bits of mud are still showing on their shells. During the cold months, these turtles dig themselves down underground to wait out the winter. Seeing them out and about must mean spring is really here. I recognize this one from last year, she lazed around and in the pond until the very last minute before the cold settled in. I was even a little worried about her, but needlessly, it seems.
There are more photos taken of the garden during April than in any other month. Hundreds turn into thousands, but most are discarded. So much is happening, many things are blooming, all at once rather than nice and easy as would be more relaxing. It is frenetically fabulous and I don’t want to miss a moment of it. Over in the far corner, what we call the Wildflower Corner, several deciduous azaleas are in bloom. I try standing in all sorts of spots to get the most impact in one shot. The pathway is lined with leftover rubber pond liner to try to stymy the weeds. At least it is black and doesn’t jump out to hog the image.
Sometimes it pays to take our eyes off the viewfinder and look around. A ways up the rubber lined path was someone crossing the road, still covered in mud. Another turtle, this one a larger female, is headed into the blooming columbine shadows. Life is good, especially when there is wildlife with which to share it.
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There are several turtles here, all Eastern box, with several posts written about them. So many posts that a page was created for them that can be seen here, listed on the sidebar.
Frances
I love seeing the wildlife in your garden. You are so blessed to have Eastern Box Turtles roaming about your garden. What a treat. Like you I never tire of seeing what nature offers us.
Yes Frances I know what you mean when you get a glimpse of that first butterfly each year. I saw some about two weeks ago when my daffodils appeared. It was when we had the week of early warm weather in the 70’s. They kind of take your breath away for a second. Your pictures are beautiful.
What a delight to have so many different kinds of wildlife attracted to your beautiful garden. That scenario with the baby birds squawking as their mother brings them food is taking place at my feeder these days and warms my heart. You’re right. Spring really is here. Hurrah!
So enchanting to see such a colorful butterfly going about its business.
Since you are such a welcoming hostess for all of your wildlife visitors, I’m wondering if you have to deal with any herds of ravenous deer? We have a woods where they are sometimes spotted but I have never been put to the test of them devouring the plants in my gardens.
Frances, I can see why you take so many photos of your garden at this time of year, it looks stunning. I’m envious of all the magnificent greenery in your wildflower corner.
Lovely critters!
I went to see what my dog was barking at yesterday in the north slope garden (an area where I must clear the unwanted hedge bushes). Fearing a snake, I found instead a turtle! I got the dog distracted away from it, and hope she doesn’t bother it again.
Have a great day!
Lea
Lea’s Menagerie
It´s so nice to see them, they make me happy as a child on x-mas eve =) But the frog… he scares the *** out of me every time! I´m never prepared even if I know he´s in there.
Happy spring Frances my friend / Dubbel hugs from gittan
Frances,
I love all your photographs…and your garden…but…I’m most impressed today with the fly on the box turtle…what a shot!
How fun is your post! I have a box turtle named Mr. T…he just came out 2 weeks ago..I was so excited to see him after a long winter! I’ve been documenting his visits for the past three years although he’s been coming longer than that. I bet with a pond you do get all kinds of critters…I am afraid of frogs so won’t ever have a pond…but I think they are beautiful! Your pictures are gorgeous…I love swallowtails…they aren’t here yet but the Monarchs started migrating last week and I posted about it this week too! Enjoyed my visit to your garden!
Miss Bloomers
The wildlife seem to love your garden! We won’t see butterflies for months, although we had one very early one a month or so ago. I keep hoping for a frog for our pond. Your garden and visitors look great!
Your gardens are beautiful in every season, but it is easy to understand why April is the big month for photographs. So much bloom. So much life! I am so glad you are so willing to share the Fairegarden with all of us.
I started gardening for the flowers. I stayed for the critters. Thanks be to God for all the good things which fly, creep and crawl.~~Dee
I spotted a swallowtail on my tulips last week. So happy to be seeing signs of life in the garden once again – breathes life into my soul!
I tell people I garden for wildlife and me…Still too cold for much to be waking up but the weekend looks like a change may be coming….lovely wildlife!
I too get excited when I see the first butterfly, hummingbird or lizard of the season! I laughed at your comparison of your photos to a box of chocolates! The butterflies are fast and furious and it is truely difficult to get a good shot of them now. Happy Spring!
Beautiful post and macros Frances. The critter parade is lovely.
Frances, They’re delightful! Fantstic photos, too. I’ve seen a few butterfly and skippers but none of the bigger beauties~yet! xoxogail
What wonderful visitors you have – I especially love your turtles! Your azaleas look so delicate and lovely.