Tiger Swallowtail

The swallowtails have been few and far between. This one was not interested in the butterfly bush. She only had eyes for the zinnias. I was experimenting with different settings on the camera. Now if I only knew which setting went with which picture??

Honeybees on Sunflowers

There have been very few bees in my yard this year, especially honeybees. I was excited when I saw one or two honeybees on almost every one of these sunflowers.

Thunder Clouds

This thunder cloud was beautiful with the sun shining on it. Shortly after this picture was taken, it was overtaken by the black cloud below it that brought lots of rain and some thunder and lightning. No way am I going outside to get photos of the lightning!

Obedient Plant (Physostegia)

These obedient plants (Physostegia) were getting so tall, I thought about pulling them up .... but then they bloomed.

Praying Mantis Photo Session

This praying mantis was very shy. Everytime I tried to take his picture, he would turn his back on me.

Grasshoppers

While deadheading the marigolds, I ran across this yellow grasshopper. I tried to identify it on the internet but there are LOTS of types, way too many to spend the time to properly identify it. This little green grasshopper was enjoying the day on a coleus. I love the contrast in colors.

Flying Flowers

Where are all the butterflys? This is only the third time I have seen a butterfly...a monarch once and a tiger swallowtail twice...each for a very brief time. Last year I had lots of butterflys all summer. I am also not seeing many bees compared to last year. I wonder what the problem is? Tiger Swallowtail

Crepe Myrtles

The crepe myrtles are beautiful. I was so relieved that I had very few japanese beetles this year. They usually play havoc on the pink crepe myrtle and the rose bushes.

Salvia of many colors

I really enjoy the salvias because they attract hummingbirds, especially the "Maraschino" and "Lady in Red" salvia. Purple salvia (perennial) "Maraschino" salvia (perennial) I cut this back in the spring and it grows to about 4-5'. This one is a favorite of the hummingbirds.

"Lady in Red" Salvia (reseeds)

Pink salvia (I collect and replant seeds in spring)

Gathering Pollen

As I was browsing around the yard, I noticed a bumblebee that had some very bright yellow on it. I wondered if it was a type of bee that I not seen before. After uploading the photo and enlarging it, I realized the yellow was pollen. What a happy bee!!

Triplets in the garden

Oh no - the deer have found my garden, and triplets no less! Deer have always raised in the woods behin our house but I have never seen them in the yard Let's hope they don't like flowers or I'm out of luck. There's an apple tree nearby. Hopefully they wil prefer apples over flowers.

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth July 23, 2009

The hummingbird moths have been visiting the garden often. They really enjoy the petunias. You can see why they are called "clearwing" moths, as you can see the pink of the petunia through the wings. I am looking out of my window from my computer desk and see one on the garden phlox.

Walking in the Garden July 23, 2009

Portulaca is a very heat tolerant plant

Garden Phlox - very fragrant

Moth on marigolds

Blackeyed Susans - such a bright yellow, like a ray of

sunshine

"Victoria Blue" Salvia - I love the color of this flower

and enjoy the blooms all summer with a little deadheading.

Allium

Moth (?) on Butterfly Bush - I haven't seen but two

butterflies this summer but I have lots of these very

small brown moths, if that is what they are.

Angel's Trumpet

I love the Angel's Trumpet because it blooms at dusk and has a wonderful fragrance. This is the fourth year the same plant has returned. It has over 50 blooms and buds. I deadhead at least 10-15 blooms every morning. If the blooms are left on the plant, it will drop the bloom and develop a large round prickly seed pod. On a cloudy day, the blooms will last until noon. I also have the climbing one called Moonflower. It is not blooming yet. I can't wait because it is climbing on my deck post. The large moths are attracted to the blooms at night.

Surprise Lily (Magic Lily, Resurrection Lily)

I didn't get to enjoy the first blooms of the surprise lily because of my trip, but three more have bloomed since I have been home. They are so pretty. Thanks Linda!

After three tries, I finally have a surprise lily coming up. Would you believe, today is Thurs. and I am leaving town for a week on Sun. I can only hope that the first one will grow really fast so I can see it bloom, but I am probably dreaming. Out of the 3-4 planted, maybe one will hold out until I return home.