The birds and the bees (and butterflies & Chips)

My hummingbirds have finally returned! I have no idea where they were for a few weeks, but the male and female have been all over the yard lately, at the feeders (here's the female last night) and at the flowers. And they're very territorial (just like the Chips!), so they chase each other all around the yard, going so fast that it's hard to follow them with your eyes!


I finally got my foxgloves planted and they have been a HUGE hit with the giant bumblebees! If you look closely, you'll see one of them in the center flower. They land on the end and then walk all the way inside to the back in order to collect the pollen/nectar. They are fascinating to watch!


I'm afraid I don't know much about butterflies but I snapped this beautiful yellow (swallowtail?)on the lantana hanging pot at the front of my patio yesterday.


And last - but definitely not least - I give you Chip.. Foxy Loxy has always wanted a "coonskin" cap (just like the ones Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone wore)... But since I don't allow any hunting in my backyard, I guess he's going to have to settle for a live "munkskin" cap instead!


Chip(s) love to climb on top of Foxy Loxy's head to eat their peanuts... By the way, these are two different Chips. Their coloring is slightly different and the top Chip has a long, narrow tail whereas the bottom Chip has a shorter, fuller tail. I'm getting to be an expert at telling all my Chips apart. And their numbers are growing. I think we have about ten now. Word must have gotten out about the endless supply of peanuts!

Donna