For the past two weeks,I have been feeding the cat and pond fish across the lane from my home while the neighbors are away.
I always enjoy photographing in Mona's garden and on this particular day, I saw one of my favorite visitors...
A Sphinx Moth, and. or Hummingbird Moth.
They are truly such lovely, delicate creatures~
I think either this autumn, or next spring, I must invest in a Butterfly Bush...
for then I might get such lovely visitors my way~
Below is a Fiery Skipper center and another species of Skippers along side~
* Note...there are so many species of Skippers, and I am just not certain what these are.
Before Mona left on her vacation journey, she called me on the phone one afternoon to say that I just might be interested in the 3 frogs she had just seen by her pond.
When I got there, this is what I saw...3 American Bullfrogs, all piled on top of one another~
One of the smallest butterflies seen here is the Pearl Crescent taking in the nourishment of a purple Cone Flower~
Such a handsome adult male Bullfrog below. I love that deep voice he drums out~
Below is a gorgeous Spot-winged Glider Dragonfly.
I had never seen one of these before, and it was an amazing species, taken right across the lane from my home the other day~
Below are Knock-Out-Roses taken at my next door neighbor Sue's garden. I have to take so many of my summer images elsewhere, for the vast part of my 2 acres is shade trees~
Miniature Hollyhocks~
Below is the ever present summer resident, the Cabbage White Butterfly~
I enjoy so much watching butterflies, the way they glide from flower to flower.
Their beauty is amazing, such gifts every one of them.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail below, such elegant beauty~
I am linking up with Mary at:
Please join me, and Happy Mosaic Monday~
What plethora of nature's bounty you have captured here - amazing!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful Sunday to you!
Hugs,
Merisi
Your collages....they're always stunning!!! In color, in clarity, in subjects....pure perfection.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know that I added a linky to my newest bird photos today. If you'd care to stop by and leave a link. And perhaps if you know of anyone who loves birding--let them know of the new birding meme I set up for a weekly run---The Bird D'Pot. Stop by if you can. And have a glorious week.
I'd Rather B Birdin'
What a great collection of wildlife photos! The swallowtail butterfly is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing all these! You do a great job with your photography.
ReplyDeleteloveliness, all around. :) i've only seen a few hummingbird moths. they are fascinating. i think i'd like a butterfly bush, too! not sure i could keep it alive in this climate, however!
ReplyDeleteWow you out did yourself. It's a stunning post of beautiful flowers and critters. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing, all of it stands out, but my favourite are the Swallowtail, superb.
ReplyDeleteSuper photos beautifully presented!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous photos! I've never seen a Hummingbird Moth. You got great dragonfly shots, too! Beautiful! Nice work, Mary!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! I'm visiting from Mosaic Monday and each one of these is a post in itself that is breathtaking. Lovely photography that captures the joy of summer.
ReplyDeleteBlessing,
Gayle from Behind the Gate
beautiful garden images beautifully presented. I love the last butterfly on the purple cone flower - such gorgeous studies of these elegant butterflies.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week.
A great series of beautiful pictures. I love the insects.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Great shots. I especially love the hummingbird moth. So many people get that one confused with the real deal:) I especially like how you've displayed all your photos. Very artistic!! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteA Hummingbird Moth is a new one for me! Your collages are beautiful - flowers and ethereal insects - like fairyland.
ReplyDeleteAnother great and varied series of images you have Mary. It must take you simply ages to put each post together, thinking and deciding about the colours and mix of creatures you portray. The little Pearl crescent is a beautiful colour and just matches perfectly the flower it is on. Spot-winged Glider – superb name and photo too, but of course the Swallowtail is the star of the show. We have a buddleia bush too and they are just great for attracting insects, and easy to grow from a cutting, but here in the UK we get a limited number of species on it, especially this wet year. Have a super week.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteYour post this week includes so many of my favorite things in nature. Years ago when we owned our first little home in Greensboro, I had a raised garden bed with herbs and perennials. I still miss that garden. I had both hollyhocks (the big old-fashioned kind) and purple coneflowers. Butterflies love the coneflowers. I also have planting a butterfly bush on my to do list. :)
When my sister and I were young children, my maternal grandparents had a lake house (very small with a big screened porch), and we would spend lots of time there with them in the summer. I used to love catching frogs, in spite of all the dire warnings that I would get warts. I still love frogs to this day. And dragonfies' wings are so delicate and lovely.
Your photos are marvelous -- so glad you shared. Thanks for your visit and comments; I hope you get some doughnuts this week. :)
Denise
So many gorgeous mosaics. I had a hummingbird moth on my phlox paniculata a couple of years ago. I was so excited. Valerie
ReplyDeleteWOW! So many gorgeous mosaics! That nature may not be in your own backyard, but you still have access and your photos are MARVELOUS!!
ReplyDeleteHappy summer!
Brenda
These are all so beautiful, Mary! All creatures large and small...
ReplyDeleteYou make such beautiful and special macro photo's and lovely mosaics. Thank you for your compliments on my blog
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, your photos are always amazing. I love the hummingbird moth. and the dragonflies are awesome. So many beautiful photos, thanks for sharing your mosaics. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteMary, you are lucky to have more than your own garden to photograph nature. I loved this post with all the butterflies, dragonflies and yes, even the bullfrogs.
ReplyDeleteI have butterfly bushes in the front and back because I like the scent and they really are a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds.
Judith
Mary, These pictures are just phenomenal...I learned about the hummingbird moth just recently and now I have to look twice when I see a hummingbird. Really fantastic photography here!!
ReplyDeleteWell, Mary, you've done it again! I end up staring at your wonderful photos and delighting in nature!! Wow! I did not know those little yellow butterflies were called Skippers. I have NEVER seen that amazing moth!! So gorgeous. Thanks for sharing these glimpses of God's grace. Little masterpieces. I am so excited this week too because an Oriole pair is frequenting our backyard. I am trying to stealthily take pics but they are really shy!
ReplyDeleteShawn
Wonderful images!
ReplyDeleteMarkus
We have those hummingbird moths in the lilac bushes in NC. They are so unusual! Great photos again this week!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful selection of photos - I love the hummingbird moth - so unusual. Beautifully captured images - you must have so much patience!
ReplyDeleteThe owlet photos are just wonderful. Where else would I see these amazing young birds!
ReplyDelete