Blooming Butterflies

It is that time of year when we in the temperate zone are missing our garden visitors.  The Tiger Swallowtail butterfly will be floating around the garden sometime in the near future. I sure do miss this quiet little lovely. 

It won't be as long as it has been. Happy Blooming Tuesday everyone.

Blooming Tuesday - Witch Hazel

It is "that" time of year. Blooms are beginning to pop around the garden. The crocus and now the Witch Hazel is beginning to show it's spidery blooms. 

It is so exciting to see this small shrubby tree bloom. This is it's first year in our garden. I have never had one before. The blooms are starting near the ground and moving up the the stems.  Is there anything blooming in your garden at this time of year?

First Crocus

This time of year when you look out and see a spot of yellow in the garden your heart races. Our first Crocus began blooming yesterday. Every time the sun shines the little buds open wide. 

A great way to celebrate Mardi Gras. Happy Fat Tuesday to everyone.

Animal Wednesday - Eastern Box Turtle

One doesn't normally get to see box turtles during winter. I was at Wesselman Park in Evansville, Indiana today to take part in a program called Master Naturalist. The most fun of the session was when they got out several Eastern Box Turtles. 

 These Box Turtles are ones that people have had as pets. Some had deformed shells and other oddities. Box turtles are easy to capture. They can't get away from humans and when humans are out and about in a wooded area they often find them, take them home and then unfortunately they die because they need a varied natural diet, sunlight etc.  I guess these are the lucky (?) ones. They have come to live at the park.

 One of the males took a fancy to one of the females. He pursued her all around the floor within the circle that the group made with chairs.

 Unfortunately it is against the law in Indiana to even have Box Turtles without a license let alone let them breed. Needless to say this fellow was quickly persuaded to go a different route.

Happy Animal Wednesday.