Milkweed Time.

Monarch butterflies need Milkweeds as they're the host plant to lay their eggs. The caterpillars eat the leaves which contain a sap type stuff which is nasty to birds so they don't tend to eat the caterpillars. Milkweeds are vital and there's a lady nearby that grows loads of them from seed and sells them for $1 each  in mid May.

Milkweeds4Monarchs

Yesterday I popped over and bought a load as well as some more Mexican Sunflowers which last year grew to over 8 feet high and bloomed all summer with large orange flowers which the butterflies loved. So today I'm planting as many as I can before it rains.

Its overcast, drizzly and rain on the way so I doubt if I'll be doing much photography today. Here's some from Wednesday afternoon. 

American Redstart

American Redstart

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Birds and other Critters

 I've seen quite a few Warblers the last couple of days but not been able to photograph many. The main push of warbler is yet to arrive, I hope. Here's a few shots from the last couple of days.

American Goldfinch

Black-throated Green Warbler

Blue Jay

Cape May Warbler

Chipmunk

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Eastern Phoebe

Field Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Gray Squirrel 

Myrtle Warbler

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Song Sparrow

A 4 Warbler Day

I only managed to capture images of two however. I missed a Myrtle and a Palm Warbler. I didn't start until nearly 4pm and apart from an hour where my House Elf duties entailed cooking dinner. I stayed out until just before 7pm. When the Wood Thrush just magically appeared I knew I was done, plus the light was going anyway. 

American Redstart

American Redstart

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Gray Catbird

Northern Cardinal

Wood Thrush

Wood Thrush