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Rudbeckia fulgida (3).JPG

Wildlife Wonderland

Growing native plants creates much needed habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife.

It doesn’t take long for a native garden to become vibrant and full of life.

I have been native gardening for over 20 years and I am continually amazed at how quickly pollinators and other animals move in to even the smallest of garden spaces.

I am so grateful that I get to share my small space on this earth

with these extraordinary creatures.

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Here are a few examples of the wildlife I have documented in my small ¼ acre lot.

Bumble Bees
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Bumble Bees

Solitary Bees
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Over 90% of bees in North America are solitary. Female solitary bees create and provision their nests all by themselves. They are very hard-working single mamas. 

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Cleptoparasite Bees

Butterflies and Moths
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Lepidoptera

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Swallowtail Butterflies

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Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle

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More Butterflies found in found in the garden

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Moths
Due to their nocturnal nature, moths are not seen when active as much as butterflies, but they are very important in pollination and for the health of ecosystems. Many adult moths are pollinators and the caterpillars are an essential food source for nesting songbirds. All but one songbird in North Carolina exclusively feed their babies "bugs" and caterpillars are a huge percentage of that food source. American Goldenfinches are the only songbird that feed their young seeds.

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Camouflage Caterpillars
These fascinating caterpillars attatch tiny pieces of plant material to their bodies to help them blend in with flowers 

Wasps
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wasps

Flies
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Flies

Predators
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Predators in the garden

Birds
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Birds

Reptiles and Amphibians
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Reptiles

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