Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2024 i Birds and Blooms Extra

If you’re reading this, you probably love birding or gardening—or both! But I know that for plant and bird fanatics like you and me, it doesn’t stop there. In this expanded issue, we’re going beyond the backyard, dabbling in what are likely some of your other favorite hobbies, such as photography, traveling, trivia and DIYing. See a chipmunk, a turtle, a little boy staring adoringly at a butterfly and more in “Backyard Tales” on page 17. Of all the sweet snaps pictured, I think my favorite is the heart-shaped sunflower. And in “National Treasures” on page 42, see eight breathtaking reader-captured photos that showcase the jaw-dropping scenery at a few of our national parks! I gasped when I saw that our art director had selected a photo taken at Colorado’s…

1 Black mondo grass OPHIOPOGON PLANISCAPUS ‘NIGRESCENS’, ZONES 6 TO 9 Add some drama with this dark purple-black grasslike perennial, which makes a bold border or ground cover. Arching mounded clumps produce pinkish white flowers in the summer and berries in the fall. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant evergreen reaches 8 to 12 inches tall. It thrives in full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Why we love it: Light foot traffic won’t bother this plant. 2 Northern sea oats CHASMANTHIUM LATIFOLIUM, ZONES 4 TO 9 Growing 3 to 4 feet tall, this native grass is known for its mass of hanging green seed heads that turn tan, then purplish. Sometimes called river oats, it does well in part shade or full sun in moist soil. Because northern sea oats tends to spread,…

Many consider squirrels and chipmunks to be garden nuisances, but I think of them as cute gardening friends. I plant a variety of sunflowers in my veggie garden, and there are always volunteer flowers that come up from the seeds that the chipmunks stashed away. So I think it is only fair that my animal friends get to taste the fruits of their labor. They enjoy the seeds so much that they leave my veggies alone. Jennifer Sigmon OGDENSBURG, NY did you know? Though chipmunks primarily rely on seeds, nuts and berries for food, they’ll also snack on insects and mushrooms. I’d been searching for indigo buntings throughout the summer when I finally found a few in a field of sunflowers. What a thrill! I took this photo with a…

A few years ago my wife and I took a three-week trip across southern Utah to visit the five national parks there plus a couple of national monuments and state parks. For a few days we were in the north-central part of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. One place we visited was the Peeka-Boo slot canyon, which was over an hour down a rough road, in addition to a hike. This very cool double stone bridge was along the slot. Roy Goldsberry ROCHESTER HILLS, MI UTAH'S MIGHTY 5 Arches Bryce Canyon Canyonlands Capitol Reef Zion Acadia National Park is located along the coast of Maine. On this night, at the Bass Harbor Head Light Station on Mount Desert Island, a stunning sunset complemented the light station’s reddish beacon light. It was…

Step 1: Put down plastic and pour sand on top. Make a domed pile of sand so the leaf holds its shape. If needed, add a little water as well. PRO TIP: Birds prefer shallow baths, so keep the dome only 1 or 2 in. deep. Step 2: Use a large leaf, such as a rhubarb or burdock leaf. If those aren’t available, try an elephant ear or large houseplant. Place the leaf on the sand dome, veiny side up. Cut the stem at the base of the leaf. Then rub vegetable oil on the veiny side of the leaf. This will help it come off the hardened concrete smoothly. Step 3: You can use various types of concrete and cement mixes. I had some vinyl concrete patcher left over…

Find the Hummingbird In each issue, we hide a hummingbird like the one above left. Enter to win at birdsandblooms.com/contests if you find it. Winners get a one-year subscription to Birds & Blooms. In the July issue, we hid it on page 29. HIDDEN OBJECT GUIDELINES No purchase necessary to enter to win. Purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes is open to legal residents age 18 years or older of the United States, its territories and possessions, or of Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec). Sweepstakes begins on Aug. 21, 2024, and ends on Oct. 22, 2024. Visit birdsandblooms.com/contests for official rules. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes sponsored by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC. Contact Us! CUSTOMER CARE For subscriptions, renewals, gifts, payments, account info and inquiries: Email:…

Stacy Dazzling Orange Garden Mum Chrysanthemum grandiflorum, Zones 7 to 9, annual elsewhere Yellow, orange and red bursts of late-summer color make this low-maintenance mounded plant a must-have in hanging baskets, pots, window boxes or borders. These chrysanthemums can be grown as perennials in the southern U.S., blooming through fall. Attracts: Light needs: Full sun but tolerates light shade in hotter climates. Size: 12 to 24 inches tall. Grown for: Fall interest filler for containers, beds and bouquets. Growing tips: Plant mums 12 to 24 inches apart. Keep soil moist, adding weekly water-soluble fertilizer. FAST MUM FACTS Garden mums are used as a fall accent plant and have a charming daisylike form. They provide a much-needed late-season nectar source for butterflies.…

When talking to gardeners, reading books and watching videos or shows about gardening, you often see plants described as aggressive or invasive. These words are used interchangeably all the time, but it is important to know the difference. Aggressive vs. Invasive Aggressive plants are the bullies of the garden. They crowd out their timid neighbors and can quickly overtake the garden bed when left unchecked. Aggressive plants may be native or nonnative, but they’ll stay within the boundaries of your landscape. Invasive plants are usually described as nonnative plants that are also aggressive but leave a landscape’s boundaries and invade nearby natural areas. They become established and spread throughout these natural spaces, causing economic and environmental harm, and in some cases, harm to human health. Why It’s a Problem Certain…

ALCONS ARE NATURE’S FIGHTER JETS, stealth bombers and next-gen defensive drones rolled into one. These aerial artists can zoom, aim, float and, of course, dive with prowess unrivaled in the animal kingdom. Even other birds of prey pale in comparison when it comes to the falcon’s sheer athletic ability. “They’re so different from hawks, eagles and owls,” says Alvaro Jaramillo, a California-based ornithologist and owner of the birding outfitter Alvaro’s Adventures. “They’re intelligent and play tricks.” In fact, falcons are closely related to caracaras, parrots and seriemas, which are all known for their curiosity and cognition. “The skin around falcons’ eyes makes them really unique,” Alvaro says. “It’s almost like they’re perceiving you.” From a birder’s standpoint, these birds are worth perceiving too. With six different species in the United…

Q My peonies and Knock Out roses are turning brown as they bloom. It looks like some sort of blight. What is going on? Melanie Turner ELBERTON, GA Melinda: When flower buds on peonies and roses turn brown and fail to open, it’s a common symptom of botrytis blight, also called gray mold. This fungal disease is most common in cool and rainy or humid weather. Botrytis causes bud blasts and flower blights, which can also occur in mums, dahlias, dogwoods, hydrangeas, marigolds and sunflowers. Remove the infected plant parts as soon as they are discovered and only during dry weather to avoid spreading the blight. Don’t compost the infected buds and flowers; instead place them in a paper bag for disposal to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.…

6,100,000 The North American mallard population was estimated at around 6.1 million in 2023, making them one of the most plentiful ducks. 50 Though mallard ducklings can swim within hours after hatching, they need at least 50 days before taking their first flight. 9 Female mallards lay an average of nine eggs per clutch, though they’ll occasionally lay up to 15 eggs. 55 Migrating mallards average 55 mph in the air, and they can fly even faster with a tailwind. 4 Very much a worldwide duck, mallards are native to areas on four different continents: North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. 2 Mallards molt twice per year. The males molt into an “eclipse” plumage after breeding season and require all of their flight feathers to regrow, which takes up to…

Bee WINGS Two large wings and two smaller wings. HEAD Long oval-shaped eyes and large antennae. BODY A bee’s distinctive waist helps it find the best angle of attack when stinging, ensuring that its stinger doesn’t crumple on impact. FLIGHT RANGE Most bees don’t travel far from home and typically pollinate plants within a few miles of their nest. Hoverfly WINGS Two large wings. HEAD Large eyes and small antennae. BODY Stout abdomen without a stinger. Stripes mimic wasp markings. DOUBLE DUTY Adult hoverflies often visit aphid infestations to feed on sugary honeydew produced by the aphids and to lay eggs. Their larvae have a voracious appetite for aphids. BUZZ ABOUT FUZZ Bees and some types of hoverflies are covered in fuzzy hairs that collect pollen while they buzz around…

I bought several butterfly bushes hoping to attract butterflies, and soon these graceful creatures were visiting frequently. I love this photo because an Aphrodite fritillary butterfly was sharing its snack with a bee. Deborah Palmer MAGGIE VALLEY, NC One of my favorite things to do in the summer is wander around looking for wildflowers in the hopes that I will also find beautiful butterflies. This Aphrodite fritillary that stopped on a patch of asters in my parents’ backyard in Wisconsin made my morning. Jody Partin CASTLETON-ON-HUDSON, NY Aphrodite fritillaries were all over the blooming thistles at Eldorado Canyon State Park outside of Boulder, Colorado. I love the color contrasts in this photo. David Elens LOVELAND, CO Aphrodite fritillary WINGSPAN 2 to 3¹₂ inches. MARKINGS Looks similar to the great spangled…