This little fellow was hiding in one of the watering cans and jumped out onto the wheelbarrow. Although we have lots of green treefrogs, I don't see nearly as many gray treefrogs like this one. He looks just like lichen on a tree.
Monarchs are still passing through the garden on their way to Mexico, even this late in the
year. There are flowers for the hungry travellers to feed on, like this Chrysanthemum 'Venus'.
year. There are flowers for the hungry travellers to feed on, like this Chrysanthemum 'Venus'.
Monarch and American Lady
But the real hubbub is around the groundsel trees and Aster 'Miss Bessie', since so many of the insects are concentrated in these last two prolific bloomers.
Butterflies, hoverflies
bumblebees and honeybees.
A Loggerhead Shrike pays a rare visit to our house. Normally this bird stays in the open areas at the top of the hill. I have often seen one perched on the neighbor's fence hawking for prey. A beautiful bird also known as the French Mockingbird because it looks like a dressed up version of a Mockingbird.
Happy Friday, and thanks to Katarina at roses and stuff for hosting Blooming Friday!
Beautiful. We have a few Monarchs passing through too. Thanks for the confirmation on the tree Baccharis halimifolia--Grounsel. I linked to you today. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see the butterflies and bees still enjoying your garden, Sweetbay! The close-up of the tree frog is almost frightening--he looks like some prehistoric creature or a mini-Godzilla:)
ReplyDeleteThe frog looks fascinating. Does he choose trees with grey bark to sit on? I have this mental picture of the frogs being allocated matching trees at the start of the day :-)
ReplyDeleteThat frog looks like the one I found on top of my bird feeder a few days ago. Ugly little guy! Love to see the flowers and bees!
ReplyDeleteWhat great pictures! I love the close ups of the frog. Hope you had a good bit of rain. We had a steady, slow rain all day yesterday. We needed it! Carla
ReplyDeleteNice pictures, I enjoyed them alot. Thank you.
ReplyDelete/Anette
A treefrog, love it! Frogs makes med happy, I wish I had them more often in my garden :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a lovely mug shot of your gray tree frog Sweetbay. It does look like it would blend right in with lichen. Beautiful photo of the Shrike too! Lucky you to still have so many bees and butterflies in your garden. Have a good weekend. ;>)
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute little frog. I love your butterfly pics and your flowers with other flying critters are lovely too.
ReplyDeleteThat French Mockingbird is quite handsome.
Have a great weekend ~ FlowerLady
Wow, both beautiful and ugly visitors :)
ReplyDeleteTjingeling
Lovely pictures of your lovely visitors...
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful shots! I especially love those frog close-ups. They are gorgeous creatures, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteThose are great captures - especially the treefrogs pix. Gotta love that face :)
ReplyDeleteThe close up of the frog is great! His skin is really rough! We haven't got any ponds in our garden and therefore no frogs, which is a pity.
ReplyDeleteThe camouflage scheme on the grey tree frog is great, all set to blend in with the growth on the tree bark. You get butterflies and pollinators for a long season, so it's a good thing you still have lots of blooms for them.
ReplyDeleteI like your visitors!! :) I love the up-close photograph of the frog
ReplyDeleteomg, Sweet Bay!! That second photo of the gray frog is OUTSTANDING! So nice of him to let you take such a great pic too. I've never seen one before so this is my first exposure. Wish we had some tree frogs here (of any color) but I don't think they'd like our cold, dry climate?
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed seeing the shrike. I'm not familiar with him either but what a striking bird. You always have great birds around your property tho.
Your Asters look beautiful still ~ good thing you haven't had a hard frost. I didn't realize that Monarchs are still migrating? I would think they need to hurry but maybe that's only because of the usual November weather where I live. You sure keep the bees happy ~ there aren't many weeks when there isn't something in bloom for them there!
Really wonderful post today!!! Have a good weekend.
There is much huffing and puffing around your flowers. The grey tree frog looks fantastic. So smart the lot, all making the best use of your garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Sweetbay, stunning parade of wildlife photos. That frog is beautiful despite the rather dull colour. Well done!
ReplyDeleteTrevlig helg!/Have a great weekend.
Calamondin and Cerula vinula in Tyra’s Garden
Your photo of the Gray Treefrog is about the best critter photo I've seen in a long time. You're lucky he didn't jump from the watering can down your shirt. lol
ReplyDeleteLoggerhead Shrike vs French Mockingbird. One sounds so threatening and the other so inviting. Interesting.
Although the images of the flowers and bees are the most beautiful, the pictures of the grey frog are my favorites. Such a handsome fellow, even before he transforms into a prince!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a frog that so resembles lichen. Cool photos of him.
ReplyDeleteI always love your insect photography, so clear and crisp.
The shrike is a lovely bird. I don't think we have them here.
OK, your photos are gorgeous. And that grey frog, oh my. I think I am in love with him.
ReplyDeleteJen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
I love Mr. Gray Treefrog! He is adorable.
ReplyDeleteLove to see the Monarchs finding a friendly place to stop on their journey. :)
Love the frog, he's a clever boy, great camouflage.
ReplyDeleteYour blooms are still looking great. It's dank, raining and windy here today.
Sweetbay, the photo and the frog are amazing. I might have been taken aback had it jumped out at me. ;)
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe the beautiful Monarchs that are still in your garden. They love it!
Sweetbay, Love him~he's wonderful. I've never seen a frog or toad in my garden~I wish they would show themselves! I think Miss Bessie is blooming in my garden! I'll check the leaves to be sure~gail
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely guests in your garden, you must feel truly honored. Butterflies are so beautiful but I do so love the humble face of your, to me, handsome tree frog!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are wonderful! I love the frog. Wouldn't it be wonderful if humans were as comfortable in our skin as the frog is in his?
ReplyDeleteHi. Gorgeous pictures of the Tree frog and Monarch. I never saw many honeybees around here this year. You have so many special critters in your garden.
ReplyDeleteThe tree frog does look just like lichen, and the first photo of the monarch and chrysanthemum is wonderful. My asters, too, are filled with little bees.
ReplyDeleteYou have so many interesting visitors in your garden, Sweetbay. The cute little tree frog fairly glitters in his gray camouflage suit! Wonderful shots!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it exciting to have a different bird show up? Your Shrike is a handsome fellow.
I'm glad you (and the insects) still have the lovely Asters to enjoy.