Several swallowtails were spotted in the garden over the summer. These Eastern Black Swallowtails enjoyed the native prairie verbena
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and I enjoyed observing their graceful flight
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This appears to be a Pipevine Swallowtail on the Mexican Cosmos
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Observing this butterfly from the underside in my garden. I'm planning to add more pipevine to my garden to lure more of these in.
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Queen butterflies always turn up in huge numbers when the Gregg's Mistflower is in bloom.
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I chased a handful of Monarchs around the garden.
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This open wing photo was my quest. Success!
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It's so fascinating how different plants attract specific insects. One I don't remember seeing before is the Eight-spotted Forester moth. Two distinctive white spots on each of four wings made it fairly easy to identify. Its native range is the Eastern U.S., Texas and up north to Canada. These photos were taken in my neighbor's yard--the St. Augustine lawn is a big clue. The moth's larval food is grapevine foliage and my neighborhood does have native grapevines plus I planted a couple cultivated varieties last year so I hope to see many more of these cute polka dot moths in the future.
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While taking down lights last week I caught sight of this adult Praying Mantis on the trellis out front and had a chance to try out my new camera lens. I posted previously on some small ones from last summer.
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We can't have a Wildflower Wednesday without deer--our main source of wildlife entertainment.
This time of year the deer form herds based on gender--"Doe a deer, a female deer"
This doe herd is intent on browsing the circle garden which they have lately turned into their nightly "all you can eat buffet". We are in the process of fencing them out as their numbers in the neighborhood have increased to unmanageable levels.
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Behind bars is the best place for deer as they continue to eat my garden. including "deer resistant" plants to the ground!
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That's the wildlife roundup for January. Visit "My Gardener Says..." for more posts on wildlife in the garden.
I guess you're anointed, Butterfly Queen. Wow! Those photos cause me to miss summer. And flowers. And butterflies. And that first photo--wow! Amazing that you caught the butterfly in that position so beautifully. I've seen photos of the Forester moth, but never one in real life. I love the mantis--I haven't seen one in my gardens for a couple of years--lucky you. And the deer--that last shot was precious, but I have to say that she doesn't look particularly guilty or regretful for whatever of your garden she's eaten. Thanks for joining in.
ReplyDeleteThe deer never seem bothered by my disapproval. They have become so comfortable that they ignore my attempts to shoo them into the woods by the creek.
DeleteYour varieties of butterflies are spectacular, but I must say, my favorite is the praying mantis. Maybe it is because I have yet to find one in my own garden. I'll definitely keep my eyes open for them in the garden this year!
ReplyDeleteThe butterflies and other insects multiply as the number of native plants in my garden grow.
DeleteBeautiful photos Shirley, especially the group of Queen Butterflies all perched together in the same area drinking nectar. They're all gorgeous creatures that are worthy of being celebrated
ReplyDeleteThe Queen butterflies win with their numbers every time and that makes me a fan.
DeleteAbsolutely stunning butterfly shots. Gregg's Mistflower is at the top of my spring planting list. My favorite is the first though serious hats off for that monarch shot with opened wings. I know just what you mean about how getting some photos can morph into a Quest.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your marauders. We have large herds in our area that seem to have a certain pattern to where they browse during warmer months that keeps them from clearing any one area out too severely. But when it gets cold the way it has been the past week or so all bets are off. The deer eat and keep eating until something chases them off. And as you note, at least the herds are female now - does I feel confident shooing away - bucks are a different story!
Great photos!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures! Your butterflies are so pretty and that mantis is very interesting. I didn't know that they stayed around during the winter as I've only seen them in summer here. They must prefer your warm Texas winters. How nice of you to cultivate a salad bar for the deer.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. That's all I can say. The Queen butterflies are amazing. It almost appears that they're the flowers!
ReplyDeleteOh. Everything here is so beautiful -- nearly beyond words. Your photos of butterflies are magic: not only are the colours perfect but I can see the lift and flight in my mind.
ReplyDeleteShirley we are thinking of the same critters as I wrote about butterflies on my new blog for WW. Some great shots of all those gorgeous butterflies visiting you. I understand about the deer. They can be so destructive.
ReplyDeleteA delightful post for a cold day! You really are the butterfly whisperer : )
ReplyDeleteYour butterfly photos have me wondering what else I can plant to bring more of those beautiful creatures into my garden in the coming year. As to the deer, I'm glad that's one challenge I don't face - one deer would be enchanting but a herd is daunting!
ReplyDeleteYou always have such success in photographing the most elusive creatures. Have you convinced them that you are a fellow woodland creature?
ReplyDeleteThat's cute, Ricki, I'd like to think that but it's more likely due to the very long zoom lens that allows me to keep my distance. The queen butterflies are so drunk on the mistflower they don't care.
DeleteGreat butterfly and deer photos! I had to chuckle when you mentioned chasing Monarchs around the garden--I know the feeling. And to capture them with open wings is even more challenging. A beautiful post, Shirley!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms and wildlife over there, Shirley. I have never seen that moth before...beautiful!
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