6 birdsandblooms.com AUGUST I SEPTEMBER 2020
FROM THE EDITOR
Exploring Nature
KIRSTEN SCHRADER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
BACKYARD TIP
Christine Martin of Niagara Falls, Ontario,
found a trick for keeping bees away from
her hummingbird feeder: Put a fake 2-inch
dragonfly very close to the feeder!
We’re all probably staying closer to home this summer. Maybe instead
of taking your annual vacation, you’re giving the garden extra attention,
spending more time in your local parks, or watching birds and butterflies.
As you indulge in more of your favorite outdoor activities, keep our
Backyard Photo Contest in mind. We’re kicking it off in this
issue with three categories: birds, butterflies and blooms. Find
all the details on page 46. Now is the perfect time to brush up
on your photography skills or to take up the hobby.
For a little inspiration, spend some time with the
“Fluttering Through Summer” story on page 38. All of the
butterfly photos featured were submitted to previous photo
contests by readers like you.
To ensure you’ll get the opportunity to capture a winning
butterfly photo, use the advice in “Master Milkweed” on page
34 to lure monarchs to your landscape.
And in other news, I’m super excited to tell you that we recently
refreshed our website. Go to birdsandblooms.com to see what’s new! It’s
easier than ever to find our collections of Top 10 plant picks, products we
love, and advice for feeding and attracting birds. I hope the stories there
will inspire you to have the best nature-filled, staycation-style summer.
BONUS BIRDS & BLOOMS
For more of what you love from us, get
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.com/newsletter.
We had a lot of
fun creating “Sunny”
the sunflower.
As you can see, the
bees approved!
Chris Mace
WEST GARDINER, MAINE
Now is the perfect
time to be on the
lookout for butterflies
in all life stages.
Check your plants for
beautiful chrysalides
like this one!
birdsblooms @birdsblooms birdsblooms
CHRY
S
AL
IS:^
BR
ENDADOHE
RTY