The second trimming of the tree. For the next few days the tree will be another food source for the birds as the remaining needles drop as mulch for Green Man’s Grotto.

Folks, Rachel found the bullfrog that lives in our pond eating a bird as big as the frog itself. I’ll spare you the picture. I had no idea they’d eat anything that big. We have now named her Nessie.

About to do some herbal tea taste testing. Anise hyssop, spearmint, chocolate mint, peppermint, lavender, chamomile, marigold, sacred basil, lemon verbena.

Another way to support the local bee population: plant enough basil that you can allow some to bloom and go to seed. The bees (around here anyway) go nuts for it.

We’ve seen a monarch butterfly several days this week and yesterday spotted a yellow swallowtail butterfly. Rachel also found a swallowtail caterpillar this week in addition to the four monarch caterpillars.

Check out all these tiny bees (not sure of species) with their full pollen sacs on this sunflower.

If you’re looking for a plant to attract bees, you might try Joe Pye Weed. It’s not spectacular; rather, it’s homely in the best sense. For the past few weeks, I’ve seen honeybees, bumblebees, and other bee species all over it.

Rachel found four monarch caterpillars on the swamp milkweed this morning–and there was much rejoicing.

Rachel is already planning for 2024. This will more than fill out the backyard, a.k.a., Green Man’s Grotto. Then we’ll start working on the little strips of yard on each side of the house. In a few years, we and the beings living here will have transformed this tiny city lot into an island of life.