Hello all!! This is Christy (and Barry) from Christy's wildlife Cottage Garden. This is my first attempt at blogging and I am very excited to be a guest on Tina's blog.Tina featured our garden on her blog last week. Along with our love of gardening is our love of wildlife. That's why we certified our property as a Wildlife Habitat through the American Wildlife Federation. To become certified you must provide water, food, shelter and a place to raise young. We have fenced in about 2 acres and this is where we have our gardens. However our property also has woods and a small pasture. We have 12 sitting areas so we can relax and enjoy watching the wildlife.

 We have 4 birdbaths. During the winter we keep one heated so the birds will always have water.

 Butterflies also like a drink of water now and then. During the months when butterflies are present we fill this saucer with small gravel, then fill it with water. The butterflies land on the gravel and get a drink!

 We feed the birds year round. We have identified over 2 dozen types of birds living or visiting our property. These feeders contain sunflower seeds. Let a few seeds drop on the ground and you'll also have some beautiful sunflowers growing!

 This feeder contains meal worms for the bluebirds and mockingbirds.

 We put unsalted peanuts in this feeder. The bluejays love them!!

 This upturned pitchfork makes a great holder for apples. Another mockingbird favorite!!

 Suet feeders attract quite a few types of birds including woodpeckers.

 I always leave a few dried seed heads for the birds to enjoy.

 We have many bird houses around the property. They differ in size to attract different types of birds. This is a favorite of the bluebirds, but we just happen to catch a dove couple sitting near it!

 There have been many babies born here!

 This honeysuckle is right next to the patio. It is a favorite shelter for the birds. We also had many nests built in it including several mockingbird nests. They don't seem to mind that we are so close to them.

Our Redtip Photinas are another favorite shelter. We can sit and hear the birds chattering from inside these bushes.

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Atlanta Scarecrows

BY SKEETER

It was such a beautiful weekend that The Saint and I decided to take a little Day Trip. Our destination took us to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. (Click HERE for more)

Upon entry into the gardens, we knew we were in for a Fall Treat.  

But we had no idea what fun treat's were waiting for us around each corner. Sir Spooks-A-Lot was hanging onto his high riding horse of straw.  

Signs with each of the many Scare-Crows told the name and sponsor of the Atlanta Community.  

Scare Package 

Franken Panda (Atlanta Zoo) 

King of the world (Titanic, The Artifact Exhibition) 

I failed to snap pics of most of the signs thinking that between the Saint and I, one of us would remember the names. Ha, after seeing about 100 of these fun creatures, we lost many names to the aging memory. 

Feel free to add names to these fun creations if you desire.  

Get your children involved for a start to Halloween by discussing the materials used to make them. 

 Honey Boo Boo

Yes a cute honey bee...

Dutches of the Dip (the Melting Pot)

 Mother Nature perhaps...?...

 Two friends sharing some wine.

 The Caterer maybe?



A. Frayed Knot

We had a chuckle from this name. All yarn, thread type materials.

 The Mariachi Band was on hand for the party.



This gal was a bit spooky to me.

The Hiker maybe...???...

 I would call this one the Peace Crow. Any names from you on this one?

 This one was made from musical instruments. The neck was from a horn. The ears are mouth pieces. The straw was shredded sheets of music. So cleaver. The Mardi Gras beads in the spider web have me thinking this one is based on Jazz as heard in New Orleans.

 This Dragon greeted us as we entered the Children's Garden. It was large and made by an elementary school.

 What name would you give this tall lady?

 Birthday cake, balloons. Hum, a Birthday party no doubt.

This one seems to have fallen into the melting pot. OD'ed on Chocolate no doubt.

 A Girl Scout "Juliette Gordon Crow" maybe...

Hum, any guesses? Do I see wings?

 The Happy Jack Fun Run. These two are made from Plastic Bottles!

 PVC Pipe Basketball boy.

 Mermaid in the Garden

Harvesting family. What ya think?

Scare-et Crow 'Hara (Tuberculosis Elimination Team) Notice she is holding a jar of TB pills. Many messages where noted within these works of art.

 This guy had something to do with straws but not sure of the name. I would just say Straw a Crow.

 I believe this sign to say, Gertrude the Gardener.

 The torso is a storage container. Ha...

A Boy Scout but not sure of his name.



This one is in the veggie garden. What could we name her?

 A gardener teaching the children no doubt.

 I believe this one was on the lines of feed the hungry food pantry.

Stumped

This was one of my favorites.

 Leonardo Da Scary

The Saint had to explain this one to me. I had no idea that Leonardo Da Vinci was more then an artist. Ha, the things I learn while in the garden.

 A bucket, trash can and water barrel. This one has a lot to say.

Fifty Shades of Hay

I know you just giggle at this one as did we. 

 Another Mermaid with this one being filled with Oyster shells. Maybe sponsored by a Seafood restaurant.

 Bone-tanical Garden

Yes, we cracked up when seeing the name on this one.

I believe this one was "Wheelie Scarecrow" but not sure.

 Yes the feet are Keyboards. Ha...

 Yikes! Something I don't care to come upon in the woods.

 For Whom the Bellman Rolls (Hotels Group)

Crow deo Drive

 "Justice D. Crow" maybe???

 Ima Traveler

 Trail Blazer

 "Angie Pitt" maybe. Ha.

Miss Unafraid and S'more Tagalongs (Girl Scout Troop 10511)

Something Wicket this Way Comes (Georgia Shakespeare) With an upcoming election in a few days, you knew this one was coming.

 

This was our first visit to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and we were not sure what to expect. We were surprised with a large and well laid out garden right in the middle of the big city! There is not much in bloom this time of year but we enjoyed the ATLANTA SCARECROWS, In the Garden.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND BE SAFE!

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden