If You Sit Still Long Enough, They Will Come!

Or at least you hope they will!  I am not the best photographer and don't have the equipment that allows me to super zoom in on the birds, but yesterday I spent some quiet time on the deck watching the bird antics.  Finally I decided to get the binoculars and the camera and managed to capture these shots.

 Goldfinch.  

The shot I wish I could have captured is the goldfinch perched on the black eyed susan nibbling on the flowers.

 Sharing the bird feeder.

Is that another kind of finch?  They love to eat the blossoms of my Autumn Joy sedum.

 Tufted titmouse.

The shot I wish I had is the titmouse working to open the sunflower seed grasped in its feet.

 What is that woodpecker making the racket in the woods?

 Is it a flicker?

 It never visits my feeders and its a rare sighting around here for me.

 Can you make out this little darling?

 Does its bill give it away?

 Silhouetted on the feeder sitting up straight.

More relaxed after a good drink.

The shot I wish I had is of the battles between the hummingbirds over feeding rights.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday.

Scenes from the Harvest

Thursday

Saturday

Tomato production has slowed.  Cucumber production has returned after a lull.  Zucchini is at its end. Peppers are there to be picked when I need them. Basil is bountiful.

See what other gardeners have harvested by visiting Daphne's Dandelions.

It's time to pull the zucchini and tomato plants that have stopped producing.  Past time to plant some fall crops.

Friday Favorite - Joe Pye Weed

I love this native perennial especially at this time of year when it comes into its own with its blooms. The Joe Pye weed has a very prominent location atop the pond aka rain garden bank.  I've tried transplanting volunteers to other locations in the yard but unsuccessfully.  It must like having its root nice and damp.  Thankfully its blooms and height don't conflict with the weigla which is planted behind it.  Those springtime blossoms have their time to shine and then form a backdrop for Joe Pye.

 It becomes quite the butterfly and bee magnet.There are mid air fights, if you can call them that, between butterflies vying for the same spot.  Quite comical to see because there are more than enough blooms for them all.

It's pale blossoms are a nice contrast to the crepe myrtle across the driveway.

This year the Joe Pye is not standing as tall as in previous years.  

The derecho we had in late June took a toll and then once the blooms formed the weight of those has weighed down the stalks.  But I can't complain.  It's still a favorite on this Friday in August especially when viewed from the porch.

Linked to Our World Tuesday

Thursday Kitchen Cupboard - Sauce

Tomatoes and more tomatoes means lots of sauce for the freezer and winter pasta meals.  I make a very simple sauce usually: tomatoes, onions and basil and a touch of sugar.  Wednesday I varied it adding garlic, fresh oregano, molasses instead of sugar and a splash of Worchestershire sauce. (Of course salt and pepper it to taste.) Once everything cooks down I use my favorite kitchen gadget, the immersion blender, to puree it all.

Onions and garlic

The variety of tomatoes I used: Amish paste, Miracle Market, and Cherokee purple and not pictured Goldie.

Cut up tomatoes - Goldie visible on top.

Cooking down with basil and oregano added.

Blended with the immersion blender.

Joining Robin for Thursday's Kitchen Cupboard.