There will be a brief hiatus in the bird pics as I’ve decided to return the original cameras I bought in exchange for some with higher resolution. Been hard to make out the wee birds, which are the ones I’m most interested in.

The reason I never see bunnies in my yard.

Finally got my shit together to work from Hypergoat this morning after PT but forgot my headphones so have to head home before my first meeting. Nice to be out of the house though.

One of these days it’s going to be a wood thrush. But not this day. (hermit thrush, still an excellent birb).

Your periodic reminder that soil is weird.

Can finally confirm: squishing spotted lanternfly eggs is extremely satisfying. Like popping bubble wrap, but with ecological benefit.

Ok this is easily the most exciting thing I’ve caught on the bird bath cams, even more exciting than the hermit thrush. Content warning: Circle of life!

I’ve been enjoying my new bird bath cameras but immediately wishing I had forked over the cash to get some with higher resolution. Anyway here are three birds sharing nicely (they don’t always, sometimes the robins are total bath hogs).

Bird cams are GO. Cue birds.

How many times must I tell my dog “it’s not time” before she understands it’s not yet time (for dinner)?

I appreciate Del Ray Artisans Nature Journaling Club for sometimes being the only thing that keeps me practicing. No more meet ups until January so I might have to exercise some self-discipline on my own.

Some fall berries.

I don’t know how the MOMA store got my info but boy do they have me pegged. A butter dish that looks like a Lichtenstein house? omg

Sorry it’s not in theme but the best costume so far at renn faire is an astronaut who also happens to be a crow. 🐦‍⬛

What do folks like to do in Richmond? Are there good birbs?

Happy to see (1) my first hermit thrush of the season (2) visiting the new birdbath. I gotta get a camera set up on it.

The entirety of Molly’s business strategy is to be cute and yet she’s more successful career-wise than I am.

It's easy to hate the October yellowjacket. But you try losing your purpose and realizing all that's left is stubborn survival until cold and starvation take you. 🐝 #insects 🍂 #fall 💀 #spookyseason

Bathroom exhaust fan replacement part 2: fixing the hole (to be honest I forgot about doing this for awhile).

I am volunteering tomorrow morning at a local park that tends to be good for birding. Volunteer shift starts at 9. What are the odds I get up early to get there at 8 and peep some birds beforehand? 🤔☕

At PT this morning the tech, probably in his 20s, attached weights to my ankles for side leg lifts. I was like, “Oh like Jane Fonda?” He looked confused, so I asked if he even knew who Jane Fonda was. He said no. Had him do an image search for “Jane Fonda exercise.” His reaction was priceless.

Trying to decide if I have the temerity to plant Devil’s Walking Stick and keep it from spreading out of control. Birds love it tho…

Not sure why I need to be able to hear a vehicle’s back up beeps from four blocks away. 🙄

Was trying to definitively identify this volunteer aster with my dichotomous key (like you do) and this red-banded hairstreak decided to visit. I’m starting to like the hairstreaks because they tend to hold still long enough for a photo op.

I have taken on the role of “I bet I can fix that” while weighing the costs and headache of hiring a professional. Today I successfully replaced the kitchen faucet, which had broken. 💪🏻

What should I put on @yuda.org ’s “honey do” list now that he’s furloughed and I’m still working? Wrong answers only.

Morning sunlight on the garden balloons (Gentiana clausa, or bottle gentian).

Finally the asters.

Blew my 14yo’s mind when I told them that deer shed their antlers and I’m like, “Who is this city slicker I’m raising?” SMDH.

At the ARMN Chapter meeting today we had a lecture about bats. I’m bad at sitting still for these things so I practiced my quick sketch by drawing the bats, etc. on the slides, about 30-60 seconds each, sometimes less.

Purple finch! Purple finch! Purple finch!

Northern Virginia Native Plant Sale haul: I bought three plants. Yep just the three! Species description in alt text.

Finally asters.

Ok which one of you lot did this and can I shake your hand?

Went to Arlington Parks’ Midnight* Mothing event last weekend and got this picture of a leopard slug**. *not at midnight **also not a moth

Plant haul from @earthsangha.bsky.social ’s open house, plus a butterfly (possibly a pearl crescent) spotted at the nursery. 33 plants total — how many will I manage to get into the ground this afternoon? Give me your best guess.

Transplanting some volunteers today that were growing in the pea gravel patio. Blue-eyed grass (requisite disclaimer: actually an iris) in the back and poverty oat grass in the front (actually a grass)

I’m eating yogurt.

It’s just so hard to get comfy.

Join us this Sunday 9/21, from 9 - 2, for our Fall Open House and Native Plant Sale! As experienced gardeners know, the Fall is the best time to plant! The air is cool, but the ground is still warm. We also tend to get greater rainfall, making it much easier for your plants to get established.

At the eye doctor and why does the anxious former student in me always feel like if I make a mistake reading it’s a reflection on me as a human being?

30 seconds ago she was demanding to be let out.

I moved the new birdbath to a new location inside the fence, because I kept checking on it and it would be empty or near empty and I figured some oversized mammal was drinking all the water. No, turns out the robins just love splashing all the water out of it. 😆

I’ve been jabbed! Now to find out if all my weekend plans are shot (pun intended).

So I bought the new bird bath I’ve been coveting.

Success! There was a fair bit of swearing but no tears. Still need to patch the drywall but that’s for another day (And some more how-to videos).

Anyone in Alexandria (and immediate environs) want this succulent planter? It’s very cute but I neither have a good place for it nor am I good with indoor plants. Better for a house without rambunctious cats (speaking from experience).

I’ve had to take a few weeks off from working out because I started having hip pain. It’s mostly gone, and I have an orthopedist appointment Monday. Do I go to my workout class tomorrow so I have pain data to report or do I continue to take it easy? Typing it out I think I know the answer. 😒

Tiny hummingbird, considering her options.

RAAIIINNNNN!!!! 🌱