Rascal at f1.8

Rascal was looking photogenic this evening, just sitting in one of the rockers.

Calico Kitty

Just for a change heres not a butterfly.

Pumpkin

Another New Monarch

My butterfly garden proved it was worthwhile again today. Another freshly emerged Monarch was drying her wings on the remains of a Swamp Milkweed.  I have at least 10 large milkweeds but the ravenous caterpillars ate them. Note to self, get more Milkweeds next year.

Monarch

Snakeroot

Snakeroot

Snakeroot which I misidentified yesterday as Boneset is quite a pretty little wildflower. Whereas Boneset was once considered an aid to healing bones Snakeroot can be deadly. Heres a write up on Snakeroot copied from Mother Natures Website.

  White snakeroot contains the toxin tremetol, which can be poisonous if consumed directly or second-hand. When snakeroot is eated by cattle, the animals' beef and milk become contaminated with the toxin, and ingesting those substances can lead to a condition called milk sickness. Abraham Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks, reportedly died after swallowing snakeroot-contaminated milk. Human disease is uncommon today because of current practices of animal husbandry and the pooling of milk from many producers, but milk sickness does still occur.

Butterfly Garden Flowers

I looked out yesterday to see another freshly emerged Monarch drying it's wings. I dashed inside and got my camera only to see it heading South. Instead I took some photos of some of the flowers.

Ironweed and Hoverfly

I can't remember the name of this one, it's Mist something. The bee's love it.

Winterberry

A new Monarch

Popped out to check on my Monarch Cocoons and one had emerged and flown off but this one was just drying his wings. You just have to be there at just the right time.

Monarch drying his wings

You can see another cocoon in the background.

Monarch drying his wings

Male Monarch, you can tell by the two little dark spots on th wings.

Middle of September already!

Doesn't time fly. Been real busy lately and not had much time to take many photo's. Heres a few from this afternoon of ........ wait for it ........yes you're right!    Butterflies.

Monarch

Monarch

Painted Lady