Finally, a True Monarch

It was the flash of orange

in slow motion 

that took me down to the garden

again today

to try to catch a Monarch.

The two were hard to catch with my camera.

It was high noon--bad light.

It was really windy--bad exposure time.

And they were not coming

close to me--bad focus.

I was trying to get a good shot of the dot pattern.

But this one definitely has the right pattern.

The line pattern goes to the lower wing edges

(so it's not a Viceroy).

It's not a Queen because it has line patterns

to the edge on the upper wing

(unlike the Queen).

And it's not a Painted Lady

like the last one I mis-identified.

I think I finally saw Monarch butterflies

in my garden for the first time in 5 years!

Identified the Mystery Butterfly

in a children's picture book from the library that I was reading with Lily!

A Painted Lady

Under wing pattern
with five dark eye spots on lower portion

Black apex patch with white leading bars
on upper side

So glad to know the identity--
and to find it in a children's book!

Autumn Hues

The bees were busy in the Sedum 'Autumn Joy' this morning.

It will get a deeper maroon color as we enjoy autumn weather to come.

I love the hues of purple near the Sedum along the south side of the house.

The Asters are deep pink-purple.

The Russian Sage is silver-blue-purple.

Both are specimens from local garden club plant sales

so I'm not sure of the specific types.

They just grow well and take care of themselves!

Just like the bees!

Sensory Garden at Dawes Arboretum

We were in Licking County, Ohio, recently for a 50th high school reunion in Newark. As on any visit to our hometown, we had to visit Dawes Arboretum.  One of the gardens that was new was a sensory garden for children.  I loved the idea and took some photos to make one of my own!

Love those signs.  Must find some.

A Viceroy, I Think

Finally caught that quick butterfly--and I think it's a Viceroy just by the flight pattern.

Best photos (between the wind and its erratic flight!):

It doesn't mind bees...

Still not sure...

Hurricane Hermine update on Tuesday:

Windy and spitting rain today.

Yesterday and Sunday were gorgeous.

You just never know...

Hold On to Your Umbrella, Froggie!

The tropical storm, Hermine, is on it's way north along the coast. It's a beautiful day today, although a little breezy.  I looked out the window and saw what I think may have been a monarch today.

These are blurry because I had to shoot 

through the screen and a story too high!

On the right side, I see orange and distinct

white spots and black bands!

When I got outside and downstairs,

this is all I could find on the butterfly bush.

They are in the middle bottom of the upper set of photos.

These are Great Spangled Fritillaries.

In the sunshine, their silver spangles are really obvious.

Depending on the weather tomorrow, Froggie, (our rain gauge) could be full

and blooms could be all over the place.

The last true hurricane uprooted the whole butterfly bush.

It's just recovering from that storm with upright branches and increased height!

I hope that Monarch shows up again!