epic garden delight

I thought my Butterfly Garden was a failure this year. Nature proved me wrong. Tall flowering plants took turns blooming throughout the Summer. Various winged wonders fluttered about occasionally, enjoying the grass flanked blooms. At times the wings chose grass over flowers. Not a surprise. Grass offers various needs. 

From a distance, I noticed what I thought were a cluster of larger butterflies. I wanted to take a closer look. Alas, I had two velcro Labradors with me. Sigh. It rarely works out to approach wild things with the two hooligans. The dogs always scare them away. Especially winged wonders!

About an hour later I returned. With my camera and without dogs. Much to my surprise, the flutterby's were still enjoying the garden! Now I only had one pesky loveable animal to thwart my efforts.

classic Leo wrap around

The cat who shall not be ignored got some needy attention. It is never enough and I had to ask him to pluueze leave me alone! I wanted to focus on this:

Monarchs and friends

trio of Monarchs

Leo obliged, but did not go far

Just like potato chips, I had a hard time choosing just one Monarch photo.

see four

and five

The many Monarchs and friends were very entertaining!

fluers and a fuzzy bee

I would have stayed longer, but was getting eaten alive by the latest crop of blood suckers. Leo and I headed back to the house/barn for cover. 

If I did have to chose one photo from this series, this would be it:

8.26.25

A fun reminder our Butterfly Garden does not need to be manicured to be an epic delight. 

seeing light

Some days light presents itself. Other days, you have to seek it. I believe it is always there. In one form or another.

our oldest grand dog Jameson is 11.5 yrs old

(note; the flying pests)

Jameson's mom took him for a second acupuncture treatment yesterday. They seem to help with his mobility. My daughter sent me this photo of him during his treatment :)

good boy

Dog walks in the woods feel different with only one dog. I have been walking with one (Tank) more often. It certainly has advantages, but I miss Aurora's Doggie Daycare walks.

Jameson lives for sniffing, strolling and rolling around. He is a typical Lab. I have to keep my eyes on him at all times. 

J has lived with us most of his life

Last week I took my big camera for a walk, along with both dogs. After seeing cranes and other unique winged wonders pockets of light shined through the darkness of our woods. 

sweet smelling wild phlox

a glimmering classic toad stool caught my eye

stumps foster ferns and renew growth

Full sun, here we come. The annuals that typically outshine the perennials in my Butterfly Garden are almost non-existent this year. For whatever reason. It did not help that July's weather was too atrocious to keep up with the heavy duty weeding this area requires for seeds to flourish.

Now I know, why natives grow so tall. To survive. They also seek light.

Black-eyed Susans

 Royal Catch-fly

one lone Zinnia

Yellow Coneflowers sway in the breeze

Liatris bloom top down

I recently spent the day with my two youngest grandkids. One carries on a 5th generation family name (Aurora) and my middle grand is my birthday twin. 

Our day started at Olbrich Gardens. A unique educational garden treasure. I have written about it before. Many special family memories have been made their over the years.

We were first in line for Blooming Butterflies in the conservatory. Nothing short of a miracle lol. Much to our delight, they had just released more wings that morning. They were fluttering absolutely everywhere!!! It was like hitting the jackpot! I have attended this annual butterfly event more than once and this is not always the experience. Timing is everything.

All ages attend. The two kiddo's made so many people smile. Especially me. Strangers faces would light up with the kids squeals and "grandma, grandma look..." over and over again.

I usually bring my big camera to this photographers dream. However, this visit my focus was spending time with my grands. Of course, I snapped phone pics regardless. Of the kids and us, and the many beautiful winged wonders.

Below are just a few shots of the butterflies we enjoyed.

Malachite emerging (L)

The Chrysalis Cases ^^ were so fascinating!

Malachite butterfly was a fav



Malachite open wings

Queen

Julia

Julia open wings

White Peacock

Zebra

Spicebush Swallowtail

Later that afternoon, we enjoyed a surprise butterfly visit at home!! The kids were so excited "..it is huge!!". Larger than any of the butterflies we saw in the observatory.

Giant Swallowtail

I smiled when what appeared to be the same swallowtail fluttered past me again the following morning.

land of wonder ~ wings

Early Summer a large winged wonder caught Brad's keen eye. 

Polyphemus Moth
6.16.25

Yes, it looks dead. At least we thought it was dead. After humming-n-hawing, Brad gently flipped it over so we could see what the other side looked like. Suddenly, it flapped it's huge wings and flew off with vigor. Gasp!

We were SO surprised!! It had pretty wings, with a large colorful dot on each. It flew up and over the top of our barn. We had never seen anything like this winged wonder before. Whatever it was sure found a funny way & place to rest. Of course I looked it up. 

Nature is a.m.a.z.i.n.g and offering endless learning opportunities. 

I walked out of our garage and found one of my favorite flutterby's basking on the sunny concrete. 

Red-Spotted Purple
6.17.25

I find it so interesting the underside wings have orange/red spots, and the top side wings are a gorgeous metallic blue. 

perhaps gathering trace minerals, similar to puddling
(16 seconds)

Why are things in nature that are clearly blue named purple, and some flowers vis-versa?

I spotted a new (to me) winged wonder while walking our wooded hollow. Google came up with yet another name that made me go, huh?

False Crocus Geometer Moth
6.19.25

I find natures marking patterns fascinating!!! There is an obvious difference in butterflies this season. Numbers are drastically down, at least on our land. I finally spotted a small Monarch that wasn't floating up and away. Of course the dogs scared it away before I could get a better shot. Sigh.

7.9.25

I was so bummed when the dogs scared yet another Monarch. It would have been prettier taken from the other side of my Hydrangea blooms. The blooms are just starting to change over to semi-pink! 

7.25.25

No doubt you are asking yourself, why doesn't she leave the dogs inside while in search of butterflies, and 'ahem use her big girl camera. I do. Once in a while. So far this year I have only found common wings. You know how that goes, when you are not looking the unusual appears.

Silver Spotted Skipper (?) on Hoary Vervain

Pink-Edged Sulpher on Zinnia

Thank goodness I started a few Zinnia plants inside!!

7.29.25

springing along

I spotted my first early Spring bloom!! My favorite crocus is oddly named Ruby Giant. It is neither ruby nor giant. I've grown these lovelies for decades. This early small blooming group is growing in a southern facing "hot spot" garden bed area that borders our house.

3.24.25

3.25.25

Many other types of bulbs in this bed are cautiously poking up a little more every day. I have to be careful where I step! In other areas, my bulbs have either just started to surface or continue safely covered. Waiting for more moisture and warmth. Same with my perennials.

While taking the Labs for our daily walkee, I gave thought to the pending warm up that causes an EXPLOSION of short lived Spring blooming color. Giving way to more heat tolerant perennials & annuals. 

.....................

Very close to the same area a cardinal was recently singing a melody to me, a winged wonder did a curvy dip and dive fluttering past ~ right in front of me. I was stunned!! Off it went! As butterflies often do. 

I tried to keep my eye on the early Spring winged wonder. I fumbled with my phone, while trying to keep the dogs away. I cannot tell you how many nature shots the dogs ruin for me! My apologies for my wobbling bobbling videography skills. 

Mourning Cloak Butterfly
3.25.25 (35 secs)

It seems too early and cold to see butterflies. We are still dipping down into the mid 20's (F) some nights.

Most of nature is not as colorful with age. Mourning Cloak are no exception. I still find them interesting! They live 10+ months and are among the first butterflies to emerge in the Spring. Lotsa info online, including about their symbolism that revolves around transformation. 

"While named for mourning, they are a sign of renewal and hope,
as they symbolize the arrival of spring." 

~~~

"Live your life now"

Interestingly, I posted about the very same first two Spring sightings about two weeks later in the season (April 9th, 2023). Things that make you wonder and go...hmmm?

web of wonder

Nature's wonder has eluded me this warm season, unless we are talking storms. The steady dose of volatile June weather we've been enjoying (?) has kept me out of our woods for the most part. I have barely used my camera. Bringing horse in/out and vegetable gardening are done in rushed swatting spurts. 

Summer is officially my least favorite season.

Consequently, more time is spent indoors appreciating cooler air. With too much time to ponder. What is my purpose? Damned if I know. 

I try not to spend too much time in my head. Letting thoughts circles, and circle AND circle.

Thank goodness there are breaks between storms. One was just long enough to enjoy a family reunion on my Mother-in-Law's side, at a park. After 18-ish years, everyone is noticeably aging. 

A few bike rides along the river have been enjoyed. Moving faster than the speed of mosquito helps avoid the blood suckers.

Dogs walks are infrequent and very short. Our older Lab is black, a flying pest magnet. I spotted a web glistening in morning light. It inspired me to make a second trip (via putt-putt) and dust off my dormant camera. 

6/24/24

I also made a quick stop at my Butterfly Garden. Glad it is being enjoyed.

closed wing Viceroy (those spots!)

open wing Viceroy
6/24/24

Our weather isn't all bad, but it sure makes a person wonder.

butterfly bonanza

My butterfly garden may look like it is lacking plants and color, but the butterflies don't think so. Activity has increased dramatically, ever since we have been blessed with rain. The garden has become a butterfly bonanza! Many species float in and dip, dive and duck. Landing and feeding together. I love watching them all fluttering about together!

There is SO much activity and variety that I cannot count them fast enough. I've tried to capture the flying frenzy several times on video, but it doesn't come close to doing the experience justice. So still shots it is. Inspiration to use my big girl camera. It has been collecting dust for around three weeks.

Great Spangled Fritillary stole the show! I knew it was a fritillary that was capturing my attention, but had to look up which one. Coppery metallic orange flashes and glimmers off/on in the sunlight. SO pretty! They sure are fast fliers.

Left side
Note the tongue, 'er proboscis.

Right Side

Closed up

Opened

I changed my focus to the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

A second swallowtail showed up and they took off. Not sure what the dance was all about, but it was fun to watch. 

The butterflies are enjoying all the garden blooms, not just the tall verbena.

feeding on Hoary Vervian

I have noticed the Monarchs seem to be boss. They scare other species away. They eventually settle and can be spotted sharing.

there are three winged wonders in this frame
(Monarch, Fritillary and a Spotted Skipper)
8/7/23

We got a little more rain last night (YAY!). I am heading down soon to see what is blooming and fluttering about. I think I'll bring my camera :)

I added a couple captures from today:

Black Swallowtail
8/12/23

Monarch & Black Swallowtail in flight