There are no set rules to enjoying wildlife in your backyard. Because a bird feeder is meant for birds, does it mean you couldn’t use it for squirrels if you wanted to? An old birdhouse can even be used for a sheltered feeding spot…sans the front wall. In my many years of backyard birding, I’ve learned to improvise with older items, keeping them useful for other species to enjoy.

This past summer a small birdbath fell over (for the third time) and broke. The break was once again a clean one, so super glue to the rescue. This time I had the idea of turning the bath into a butterfly feeder. Relocated into the flower garden, I began placing orange quarters and banana chucks on it.

The first go-round didn’t work as sadly there were no butterflies seen. Another thing I’ve learned is persistence….if it doesn’t always work the first, or even second time-try again!  After a few tries of experimenting with different fruits, the eagle had landed!.  Three Monarch’s graced the garden and ate from the feeder. For that summer, I was lucky enough to have witnessed many species of butterflies. Unidentifiable technical names to me, but what a joy to have them around everyday!