Feeder Frenzy

This group of photos were taken in late September at our previous residence, when there were literally dozens of hummers in our front yard.  

The day after we moved to our new place, I spotted a hummer darting around my potted flowers so I filled a couple of feeders and put them out.  Most days there are about 4 little hummers hanging out at the feeders.  There will be a few late migrants passing through so I'll leave the feeders up for a few more weeks.  

These tiny creatures aren't as innocent as they appear.  They can be really brutal with each other when fighting for their spot on the feeder.  If you've ever had the chance to observe them, then you know what I'm talking about.  

I think this one with the orange plumage is a female Rufous Hummingbird. This is the first I've ever seen. It's not uncommon for them to migrate from the west to Florida for winter. Perhaps this one was just passing through...

Thank you for dropping in...

I appreciate your visits to my blog and your comments :)

Red-Shouldered Hawk

I captured shots of this Red-Shouldered Hawk at quite a distance

as it perched atop one of the tallest pine trees in our yard, back in March.

He (or She) stayed there a while, watching and waiting,

scanning the fields below for a possible catch.

No such luck.  Not that day.

With those beautiful wings spread, 

off he flew until he was out of sight...

Linked with Stewart at

Wild Bird Wednesday

Cut Wildflower Bouquet

A few chosen wildflowers were cut and brought home,
where they were arranged in a clear vase...

and placed in my kitchen

to add a splash of autumn color and cheers

I must enjoy their temporary beauty,
for it ends all too soon.

Autumn Wildflowers

First, I'd like to say Thank You for the comments wishing me well during our recent move.  Your thoughtful comments were greatly appreciated :)   Moving is tremendously exhausting and I'm so glad it's over and done.  Now it's just a matter of unpacking everything and deciding where to put it all.  I'm still wondering when so much "stuff" was accumulated.  Much of it will go to storage or Salvation Army.  

Now on to the topic of this blog post...

Located across the road from our new place is a large cut-over field which is now filled with a wonderful variety of autumn wildflowers.  I just had to snoop around and see the wildflowers up close.  It was early morning and dew blanketed the entire field.

Narrow-Leafed Sunflowers...

 Eupatorium serotinum- 

aka Late-Flowering Boneset or Late-Flowering Thoroughwort...

Goldenrod...

a favorite among Lovebugs

Tiny white asters...

Blue Mistflower...

And some unknowns-

I would appreciate your help in identifying them...

Thank you for stopping by...

I wish you a wonderful week ahead!

Good Fences #28: Autumn in Cades Cove

Cooler temperatures are on their way- by Saturday our outdoor daytime temperatures are expected to be in the mid to upper 70's with cooler nights in the mid 50's.  I can hardly wait!  How I love the feel of Autumn!

What better time to post beautiful images of colorful Autumn foliage than the month of October? These good fences, although aged and dilapidated, border some of the scenic pastures of Cades Cove, one of the most popular areas in the eastern United States.    

My husband and I have been frequent visitors of Cades Cove during several autumn seasons, usually in October.  These photos were taken during our trip there last October.  The fall foliage was spectacular- never had I seen it more beautiful.  I was in awe at the amazing colors all flowing together, like an autumn quilt. 

In just one week, we witnessed the transformation of foliage color from summer greens and early autumn yellows into a mosaic of gold, crimson, orange, red and scarlet.  Words and images do little to define the magic of autumn's prime show in the Smoky Mountains.  

Linked with our great hostess,

 Theresa at Good Fences

Two Chipmunks & a Skunk

I have only a few critter photos to share today.  I've been busy as a bee packing, cleaning and getting ready for our move.  I will probably be offline a few days until internet services are transferred to our new location.  I'll still have service on my cell phone, so I'll be checking in :)

Photos of these adorable little chipmunks were taken in the Chimney Tops park area within the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.  Chipmunks are numerous in the park and I see one or more of them every time we visit.  They are quick as lightening, however, which makes it difficult to photograph them.  I adore chipmunks, they're so darn cute! I could spend hours watching them scurry about the park, darting between the rocks and trees.   

While my hubs and I temporarily resided in Tennessee, a skunk family also took up residence in a pile of decaying tree trunks and limbs behind our house.  They usually came out of their den near dusk, so we often sat on the back porch and observed them.  While the adults scrounged around the yard looking for food, the kits (youngsters) often chased each other around the trees and shrubs.  It was great fun to watch them tumble about, wrestle and play together- their behavior was much like kittens!  I believe the one pictured below was one of the kits (but I'm uncertain)...

That's it for me today.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  

Thank you for dropping in :)

Linked with Eileen at 

Saturday's Critters

Gulf Fritillary

The Gulf Fritillary is a brightly colored butterfly common across extreme southern portions of the United States. At home in most open, sunny habitats, it frequents roadsides, disturbed sites, fields, open woodlands, pastures, yards, and parks.

In Florida, it can be found in all 67 counties. The butterfly undergoes distinct seasonal movements each year. Adults move northward in spring and form temporarily breeding colonies throughout the southeast. Individual vagrants may occasionally reach into the central U.S., but rarely into the Midwest. Starting in late summer and continuing through fall, huge numbers of adults migrate southward into peninsular Florida. Adults overwinter in frost-free portions of their range.

The Gulf Fritillary is a medium-sized butterfly with elongated forewings. Adults have a wingspan range of 65 to 95 mm. Females are generally larger than males. The sexes are dimorphic. The upper surface of the wings is bright orange with black markings. Females are somewhat darker and more extensively marked. The forewing cell contains three black-rimmed white spots. The undersides of the wings are brown with elongated silvery-white spots.

For about two weeks I attempted to photograph this beauty without much success. It was always gone by the time I grabbed my camera and went outdoors. Finally, one came and stayed long enough for me to capture some good shots. A couple days later I was thrilled to get a few more photos.  

These butterflies are so beautiful. I love the blend of orange, brown, black and white colors.  Their underside wings are spectacular when the silvery-white colored spots shimmer in bright light, giving them a metallic appearance.  Dazzling, delightful creatures- don't you agree?