Not sure what the etiquette is when walking through a butterfly house? Here are some hints to help you along! PLEASE WALK: Our butterfly house is a “cozy” place, if you run you might fall on your face -With winding slate paths and plants galore, it can be very easy to get tripped up in all the excitement. Please enjoy … Read More
Birds of SGG
Birds of SGG Pat Pepper While there are many wonderful birds to watch at SGG and in your own backyard, there comes a time in your birding life when you want to see some birds that require you to do a little traveling. The birds you might want to see live in a different terrain or climate. Especially … Read More
Birds of SGG
Birds of Smith-Gilbert Gardens: April Update By Pat Pepper Several summer visitors were singing in the gardens on the morning of April 18, 2016. The White-eyed Vireos seem to be everywhere, and I heard one beautiful Wood Thrush—my first of the year. Our winter thrush, the Hermit, has moved north to be replaced by the Wood. While all the Thrushes … Read More
Birds of SGG
Birds of SGG by Pat Pepper Sept. 14 was one of those promises of Nature days, a promise that cooler, lower humidity days were on the way. Finally, after several months of hot, sticky weather, I was able to don my favorite birding attire: long sleeves and pants, socks and real shoes. Anything less than that makes me vulnerable to … Read More
Plant of the Week: Red Spider Lily
Red spider lily (Lycoris radiata) is native to Japan and can grow up to 1 to 2 feet in height. It is in the amaryllis family and sometimes can be referred to as hurricane lily, especially in Florida because it blooms during hurricane season. It has a bright red bloom that is seen from August to September. The spider lily … Read More
Birds of SGG
ALL THINGS HUMMINGBIRD: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds Pat Pepper, SGG Volunteer Birder The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are generally found in wooded areas. Food Sources: Nectar: Prefers red & orange flowers such as trumpet creeper, cardinal flower, honeysuckle, jewelweed, bee-balm, red buckeye, red zinnias and red morning glory. They also like sugar water in feeders and tree sap. Insects: Mosquitoes, gnats, fruit flies, … Read More
Birds of SGG
Birds of Smith-Gilbert Gardens By Pat Pepper On the morning of June 1st, I parked in the back parking lot of SGG in the spot in front of the lamp post, which is located just to the right of the large Princess Tree. As I got out of my car, I heard the song of a male Wood Thrush … Read More
Birds of SGG
Birds of SGG by Pat Pepper Just as the plant world dazzles our eyes with incredible blooming beauty in spring, so does the bird world. Spring means spring migration, and it is starting right now. The avian males are all decked out in their spring finery, and the neotropic migrants that are only passing through Georgia on their way … Read More
Birds of SGG
Birds of SGG By Pat Pepper 2015 Great Backyard Bird Count Photo by Gary Mueller, Missouri First, I want to give a big shout out to Stefanie Haerynck for her wonderful organizational skills during SGG’s first GBBC event on Feb. 14, 2015. She made my job as bird guide extremely easy with her handouts, white board, writing utensils, … Read More
Birds of SGG
Birds of SGG by Pat Pepper It’s that time of year! From Dec.14 to Jan.5, birders all over North and Central America volunteer to count birds for the National Audubon Society. They usually spend up to twelve hours on one day identifying birds, both the species and number spotted. This information is invaluable in spotting bird migration trends and breeding success. The … Read More