Wayne Bugg
@waynebugg
Proud Kentucky Democrat. Fifth generation proprietor of a small Kentucky farm. I chose my grandparents well.
Today’s critter is a Pipevine Swallowtail, Battus philenor. From Wikipedia “The name Battus comes from the founder of the Greek colony of Cyrenaica, Battus I, and the species name philenor comes from the Greek word meaning 'fond of husband'.” Make of that what you will.
Today’s critter is a Dickcissel. Settle down. Although Peterson’s says it’s fairly common, this is the eastern end of their range and National Geographic calls them scarce here. They like weedy pastures and the planting is good habitat.
Today’s critters are future American Goldfinches. There’s a good crop of coneflowers coming. Hope I’m around when they harvest them.
Today‘s critters are eggs of future Squash Bugs. Usually by this time my squash is gone from bacterial blight transmitted via cucumber beetle but this year it’s still producing. And I’m ready to move to another veggie.
Menu from Freight House restaurant. Paducah, KY isn’t Appalachia but Chef Sara’s dad is from the mountains.
Current hot and humid conditions are great for development of corn diseases. Neighbor is applying fungicides with good timing as pollination is underway.
Today’s critter is a Common Whitetail or Long-tailed Skimmer that stopped by the patio this evening. Together with the Barn Swallows they’re part of the home defense against skeeters.
Today’s critters are once again the front porch Barn Swallows only now they’re the power line Barn Swallows. The fledglings have taken flight!
Garden is coming in strong. Homegrown zucchini, green beans, cucumbers, green peppers and blackberries with a little more than $1 worth of Costco chicken quarters. If you had a better dinner I’m happy for you.
Today’s critters are the Eastern Bluebirds in the backyard nest box. Five little ones with Mom and Pop in and out.
Today’s critters are the front porch Barn Swallows. The fledglings are about to leave the nest. If everything goes well they’ll spend the winter in Central or South America.
Thought it was neat how the sunlight was hitting the pignut hickory in Devil’s Garden this evening.
Today’s critters are the front porch Barn Swallow nestlings. Zoom in and I believe there’s two big’uns and two small’uns.
Today’s critter is a Whitetail Deer. I’m hoping it’s mostly eating weeds and not the trees planted all around it. Stay to the end and watch Mia strut in oblivious to the deer.
Today’s critters are a pair of lovebird Barn Swallows. Stay to the end and you’ll see their front porch nest. This is the third year for this nest. Last year they did a minor repair but this is >95% original mud.
Today’s critters are a pair of lovebird House Finches. You may look at that guy and say nope that’s a purple finch. Wrong - that striped belly means House Finches. I have a gazillion house finches in the winter. I claim I’ve seen a purple finch but I’m only about 90% sure.
Today’s critter is a Common Snapping Turtle. Not good pictures but I declined trying to get him/her to pose. Did you know that according to Wikipedia it takes around 12 years for a snapping turtle to reach sexual maturity?
Today’s critters are Wild Turkey eggs. Came across this nest while banding clethodim on the tree rows.