Species spied by one set of eyes, in one “Rose of Sharon” tree-bush:

(keep in mind: this is one bush, in one yard, in one season, noted by one observer)

Honeybees

Bumblebees

Wasps (several species)

Small butterflies (several species)

Large butterflies (several species)

Beetles (several species)

Flies (several species)

Ants

Cardinals

Wrens

Thrashers

Jays

Hawks

Titmice

Finches

Towhees

Crows

Plus, of course, the ever-present “U.S.”:  Unknown Species that appear from time to time. . .unknown to me, that is.

What attracts so many to this one tree?

Is it the bright color, the scent, the nectar, the exposure to bright sun and summer storms, the transitory nature of Nature?  It must be all of the above. . .plus instinct, plus the universal attraction of Beauty, the Beauty that attracts me too, the Beauty of all these species, and I am one of the many.

I’m no naturalist, but I try to be observant of the variety of Life I share the land with:  my wild neighbors

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(FYI: I used to be an “Observant Christian,” now, simply observant)