Garden Photo of the Day

Flowers and Visitors in Nancy’s Garden

Birds, blooms, and bugs

Today’s photos are from Nancy Stewart.

I live near Syracuse, New York. I’ve been gardening most of my adult life. (I’m now 84 years old.) I am getting more into native plants and am coming to understand why they are so important. I have about one and a half acres to enjoy and have large flower beds and a neglected vegetable garden!

All of the photos below were taken in my backyard and reflect my interests: birds, photography, and gardening. I’ve been taking photos for about 45 years—and that interest increases as I have more time to devote to it. My father was a photographer and my mother was a gardener—so those are things I figured people do.

pink calibrachoa (Calibrachoa hybrid, Zones 8–11 or as an annual) and angelonia (Angelonia hybrid, Zones 8–10 or as an annual), golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, Zones 3–10), and blue evolvulus (Evolvulus hybrid, Zones 10–11 or as an annual).The first photo is of a pot of flowers on my patio, and I love the color combination: pink calibrachoa (Calibrachoa hybrid, Zones 8–11 or as an annual) and angelonia (Angelonia hybrid, Zones 8–10 or as an annual), golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, Zones 3–10), and blue evolvulus (Evolvulus hybrid, Zones 10–11 or as an annual).

cup and saucer cosmosI grew this cup and saucer cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Cupcakes’, annual) from seed. It is a variety I didn’t know I was planting, nor had I seen it before. It was the surprise of the summer.

pink cosmosThe little grasshopper on the pink cosmos couldn’t have been more than 3/4 inch long! I am thankful the photo came out so well.

coneflowerThis coneflower (Echinacea, Zones 5–9) bud is pretty self-explanatory.

salviasA bird that I couldn’t identify graced the lovely salvia (Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’, Zones 7–10), also on my patio. Those huge salvias bloomed until just recently and were attractions for hummingbirds and bees, as well as this fellow, all summer.

bird in a birdbathThe bluebird (this is the first year I have ever seen a bluebird!) is perched on a wonderful birdbath that was hand-sculpted by a local artist. We have had it for years, and it is a treasure.

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Comments

  1. runfortheroses 11/29/2021

    Wonderful garden, Nancy! The bird you were having trouble identifying looks to be a goldfinch. Thanks for sharing!

  2. blondie3 11/29/2021

    You are very good at photography, that bluebird is fabulous.
    And I can see why the bird bath is a treasure, I saw a lizard in the bottom! Thank you for sharing your age, it is encouraging to see you enjoy your passions and interests, and helps me to see that so can I…

  3. gardendevas 11/29/2021

    Thanks for the lovely photos, Nancy! So good to see the green and bright color on this cold snowy morning.

  4. sandyprowse 11/29/2021

    You are a fabulous photographer. I loved seeing the birds incorporated with the flowers. That white cosmos is amazing. Well done1.

  5. User avater
    PKKing 11/29/2021

    Beautiful pictures, Nancy! I especially love the bluebird in the bird bath.

  6. giardiniera 11/29/2021

    Thank you for your post, Nancy. I loved seeing your photos and hearing about your parents. We have a bond! I also had a professional photographer Dad and a gardening Mom (and have done both all my life). What special gifts they gave us! I am closeby in Ithaca. Sharing my photos with you:
    https://www.flickr.com/gp/146331376@N06/De98cQ
    Margherita

    1. alicefleurkens 11/29/2021

      Which i was close by too. Alice

    2. User avater
      cynthia2020 11/29/2021

      Margherita - I remember when your lovely garden photos were featured. :- D

      1. giardiniera 11/30/2021

        Oh you're sweet to tell me that. I do plan to send in some from this year before too long. Enjoy the restorative gardening powers that winter brings.

  7. User avater
    treasuresmom 11/29/2021

    Great pics!

  8. User avater
    simplesue 11/29/2021

    You are an inspiration- artistic photos and still gardening...yes...you have indeed inspired me in more than one way.
    Thanks for sharing your story and garden.

  9. alicefleurkens 11/29/2021

    Nancy. I love the Cosmos, I have to have Salvia’s every year
    And love the bluebirds. We were thrilled to have a pair one year but their nest got raided and they never came back. I saluten your gardening and artistry. Alice

  10. moyra_b 11/29/2021

    Lovely photos! I am nearby in Manlius, also an avid gardener and birdwatcher, a treat to see yours!!

  11. user-5117752 11/29/2021

    Stunning photos!!! Now I'd like to see more of your gardens - just when you have time, that is!

  12. User avater
    bdowen 11/29/2021

    Your garden and photos certainly reflect the talents and interests you gained from your parents. I especially love the photo of the calibrachoa and friends with the flowers glowing in the dark and the soft focus background. I also would love to see more of your garden.

  13. btucker9675 11/29/2021

    Your garden photos made my day! That cup and saucer cosmos is stunning - white as snow. We have Eastern bluebirds that use our nesting box each year and I love seeing them. I have a mealworm feeder for the dried mealworms, and also feed them live mealworms during nesting season when the babies only get their moisture from bugs, worms, etc. Your photo of the bluebird on your beautiful birdbath is wonderful. Thanks for this!

  14. User avater
    cynthia2020 11/29/2021

    Nancy - I loved looking at your photos and reading your gardening story - I especially liked your photo of the day (terrific salvia) and the bird bath shot (the birds must love that shallow bottom). Looking forward to seeing more of your garden when you get a chance.

  15. User avater
    vanhatalosuomi 11/30/2021

    Dear Nancy,
    Thank you for sharing your love of nature & gardening!
    Lovely photo perspective, and I especially enjoyed your cosmos 'Cupcake' - that's a new one for me!
    Stay well and keep doing what you're doing!

  16. carolineyoungwilliams 12/15/2021

    So beautiful Nancy. I love seeing visitors in the garden. Thank you for sharing.

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