Now that the weather has cooled off a bit the Swallowtails have disappeared,
but there are still lots of Monarchs, Sulfurs and Pearly Crescents around.
but there are still lots of Monarchs, Sulfurs and Pearly Crescents around.
This year has been a stellar year for Common Buckeyes as well as swallowtails. When I was mowing one of the pastures a couple of weeks ago there must have been at least a hundred Buckeyes in there; they were feeding on some sort of grassy weed that has rectangular green and black linearly arranged flowers . The weed is very common, I wish I knew the name. I've never seen so many Buckeyes at once. So I decided to just mow half of the field. Randy of Randy and Meg's Garden Paradise posted here that Gerardia is one of the host plants of the Buckeye and I've seen a lot of it blooming in the ditches and at the edges of the pastures. I'm happy to see Gerardia this year, as I couldn't find any last year and it's one of the loveliest of native wildflowers.
A little raggedy but still lovely Buckeye
Blue Lobelia is blooming in the ditches as well. I've never been able to keep this
successfully in the garden so I just enjoy seeing it wherever it pops up.
successfully in the garden so I just enjoy seeing it wherever it pops up.
The Bidens are mostly done now and the Swamp Sunflowers are now blooming,
but I wanted to post these two pictures from Sept. 20th.
Good news! The well was never actually low. Instead there was a crack in the casing above the pump, so the pump was pumping continually and much of the water was leaking right back into the well.
Lovely photos, Sweetbay. And, happy news about the well. I live in such a water-starved area - that would have been a huge stresser for me. Hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteWe've had lot of butterflies here this summer, too. So far, I have net seen a Monarch, though. Lots of other kinds! I think I notices the I have over 500 pictures of them on my computer. I'm not familar with Bidens, but yours look real pretty and prolific! Good luck on getting your well repaired.
Our butterflies are all long gone... until next year. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat news on your well Sweetbay. Two years ago we had to have the pump replaced... 225' down... luck of the draw. Happy weekend.
Great news about your well, and wonderful photos. Love your biden, and the butterflies are always a delight.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend ~ FlowerLady
Sweetbay,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the well was not going dry! Enjoyed the photos and good to hear you did not get too much rain. Our Swamp Sunflower is flattened in a 16 diameter circle of flowers.
I love those big yellow billows, just for themselves, never mind the wonder of attracting butterflies! I am going to start some bidens seeds in our weedy meadow next spring I think, and hope for the wild explosion you have.
ReplyDeleteLove those photos! And you must be so relieved about the well!
ReplyDeleteLovely, peaceful post. So glad I visted here today.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to see so many Buckeyes! That must have been amazing. Great that you only mow half the field... you might still have some chrysalis out there too. Your landscape is gorgeous with the yellow swaths surrounding your home. Lovely!! Glad all is OK with you . . . well and all. ;>)
ReplyDeleteBlue Lobelia is a gem. Looks beautiful against the biden.
ReplyDeleteDrop of rain won't go a miss, especially after somuch drought.
Kinda feel we're living on borrowed time here in SW France. Unbroken sunshine and 28 degrees today, Summer weather, I know frost lurks at the end of the month sadly.
Wow, Sweetbay, all that golden yellow is gorgeous! You have been completely immersed in such beauty! It's kind of hard to realize all the colors are fading and soon it will be winter again! I love the wild blue lobelia, too. So pretty. Good news about your well. I'm sure it's a relief;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Sweetbay, it gives me great comfort to know that while the butterflies are gone here, they or their brethren have gone to someplace as lovely as your garden. :)
ReplyDeleteA lovely sight with all your Bidens, with thos butterflies, your photos are as fantastic as ever :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and great news about your well. We live on well water also, and it is a constant source of concern when the weather is so dry! Happy weekend! Carla
ReplyDeleteWow, lots of color and things still blooming! I'm going to finally plant out Rosa setigera! One died, one is doing fine.
ReplyDeleteThat is good news about the well, Sweet Bay! I know that having to dig for a new well is not only a big ordeal, but an expensive one as well.
ReplyDeleteThe Buckeyes were prolific here this year as well; usually I would see only one or two all season long, but this year they were everywhere. I just saw one this morning in fact, but most of the other pretty butterflies have already moved on.
Lovely photos as always; your Bidens look like fluffy yellow clouds welcoming guests to your home!
Sweet Bay, your garden is a refreshment for human eyes as well as a source of nectar for butterflies and other insects. It is absolutely gorgeous, and I thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed your photos immensely ... also thanks for visiting my blog! L
ReplyDeleteExcellent news about your well SB. I'm sure a big relief too.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of your lane, home and the beautiful bidens and Buckeye.