What an interesting article, Susan! The dog fennel isn't blooming now, should be pretty soon, though. I checked out the climbing hempweed, and it's grown real big up into a small tree and is blooming right now. I may try to gather seeds and sow them in several other wet spots, which is what they like. I assume no mating will take place until the dog fennel is in bloom. I had read several years ago that it was important in the mating of scarlet bodied wasp moths, so I let it grow in my meadows even though I don't like the way it looks. With plenty of both the poison maker and the host plant, my chances of seeing a caterpillar should improve. The moths are small. I'd compare their size to hummingbird clearwings, maybe a little smaller with their bodies being slimmer. Those colors really knock me out! Sherry

We looked at 'Will Fleming' last year as an alternative to an 8ft nandina domestica privacy screen. Unlike 'Scarlet's peak', it has been available for many years, so there is quite a bit of info available. The limbs do grow vertical, but get very long and tend to flop with age. Might be possible to trim it up nicely with experience, but wasn't ecstatic about the mature look and the lack of berries finally knocked it off our list. Some sources say the flopping/spreading when it gets big is why it never really took off (fell out of favor?). Would like to try 'Scarlet's peak', but still not able to find locally and not motivated enough to try it from a new mail order source. Both Sperry and Garrett advise against arborvitae for Dallas and for that reason alone, I'd also be very cautious. However, we have several beautiful commercial and residential examples in our area.... at 25+ years tall, they're pretty easy to see. Since you really like them, might check on what types may be growing well in older neighborhoods around your house before writing Thuja off completely. I'll risk suggesting nandina domestica for a narrow evergreen 6 to 8 ft URBAN privacy screen. Available, inexpensive, sun or shade, hardy, fairly quick growing, and nice seasonal variation. Mockingbirds nest in ours, so suppose it has some wildlife value, too. They can be kept full to the ground by trimming a few of the older shoots out each year. Some valid concerns on invasiveness, but these depend a lot on location. Here is a link that might be useful: This post was edited by bostedo on Mon, Aug 4, 14 at 23:09

I think I agree with you that it is a female Scarlet Tanager. Very nice pics, BTW. tj

I don't know if you're in the range for them, but you're making me envious! Won't see any of those birds for awhile. A couple years ago, I was on a ride on our property in my cart (central Indiana) and stopped by some trees. I looked up and this is what I saw! I see one every few years and it's always exciting! I hope you get to see more!