Eleanor Bailey

A red-tailed hawk searches for supper in the branches of a dead elm tree. Perhaps the animal repellent isn’t necessarily the reason for the scarcity of critters in the backyard.

Eleanor Bailey

A hummingbird sips nectar from a Gladiolus bloom.

Dahlia

By Eleanor Bailey

Firecracker dahlias provide a pop of color among the zinnias in the flower garden.

Spaghetti squash hang from vines and are supported by a white-latticed fence. A smash hit this summer, producing a bumper crop, the gourds should last through the winter months if stored properly.

Potted peppers on the patio ripen providing an abundant harvest for tossed salads, stuffed peppers and home-made sauces.

Sheltered underneath a covered porch away from hungry critters, tomatoes ripen on the vine.

Eleanor Bailey

A female American Goldfinch plucks the petals from a zinnia blossom in search of seeds.

House finches take turns enjoying an outdoor water bath.

Eleanor Bailey

An American Goldfinch clings to a stem of a zinnia flower.

A hummingbird sips nectar from a Gladiolus bloom.

Eleanor Bailey

A male American Goldfinch attempts to camouflage itself among the green leaves and stems of flower buds to no avail.

Eleanor Bailey

Sunflowers swaying in the breeze bring a smile on one’s face as memories of those lazy, hazy days of summer slip away into fall.

Firecracker dahlias provide a pop of color among the zinnias in the flower garden.

A hummingbird rests on the petals of a Gladiolus bloom after savor its nectar.

Eleanor Bailey

A red-tailed hawk prepares to pounce from his perch in the branches of a dead elm tree. Perhaps the animal repellent isn’t necessarily the reason for the scarcity of rabbits and cats in the backyard.

Eleanor Bailey

A male American Goldfinch attempts to camouflage itself among a colorful array of blossoms.

Though neglected for greater gains, even a few carrots emerged to toss into salads.

Radish sprouted first but alas rabbits enjoyed more of the harvest.