Post a reply

Image
Jul 27, 2014 11:03 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Melanie
Lutz, Florida (Zone 9b)
Butterflies Enjoys or suffers hot summers Hummingbirder Birds Bee Lover Bookworm
Region: Florida Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Bromeliad Native Plants and Wildflowers Plant Identifier Salvias
Drooling WOW! Just wow! How amazing is that?
Image
Jul 28, 2014 4:52 AM CST
Name: Catmint/Robin
PNW WA half hour south of Olym (Zone 8a)
Region: Pacific Northwest Region: Mid-Atlantic Region: Maryland Butterflies Bee Lover Native Plants and Wildflowers
Echinacea Azaleas Forum moderator Cottage Gardener Garden Ideas: Master Level Celebrating Gardening: 2015
That is totally amazing! Hurray! Smiling
"One of the pleasures of being a gardener comes from the enjoyment you get looking at other people's yards”
― Thalassa Cruso
Image
Jul 28, 2014 5:32 AM CST
Name: Ronnie (Veronica)
Southeastern PA (Zone 6b)
Count your blessings, be grateful
Region: Ukraine Organic Gardener Keeps Goats Zinnias Dog Lover Morning Glories
Annuals Bee Lover Dragonflies Butterflies Hummingbirder Birds
So cool J I tip my hat to you. you can send him over my way if you get tired of him Whistling
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Image
Jul 28, 2014 2:56 PM CST
Name: Linda Williams
Medina Co., TX (Zone 8a)
Organic Gardener Bookworm Enjoys or suffers hot summers Charter ATP Member Salvias Herbs
Bluebonnets Native Plants and Wildflowers Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Forum moderator Purslane Hummingbirder
Excellent Hummingbird Moth pics! I'm lucky to get the blurred ones!
I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority. E. B.White
Integrity can never be taken. It can only be given, and I wasn't going to give it up to these people. Gary Mowad
Image
Jul 29, 2014 9:19 AM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
Superior J!
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
Image
Jul 29, 2014 9:53 AM CST
central Illinois
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Photo Contest Winner: 2017
Thanks for all the compliments!
Nothing that's been done can ever be changed.
Image
Jul 29, 2014 8:05 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Melanie
Lutz, Florida (Zone 9b)
Butterflies Enjoys or suffers hot summers Hummingbirder Birds Bee Lover Bookworm
Region: Florida Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Bromeliad Native Plants and Wildflowers Plant Identifier Salvias
I've been trying to post this since yesterday but life has gotten busy and confusing. Plus, I must have had too much fun at MOSI because I have slept so much (even for me) over the past two days. These pictures are all from yesterday. Let's enjoy!

My Polydamas must be staying because I've spotted them a couple of times. I released another one today but had to put one down because its wings never unwrinkled. Don't know why - it seemed like it got out of the chrysalis okay and was hanging normal but never straightened out. Anyway, here's a blurry photo of one on firebush. I know Swallowtails flap all the time but Polydamas flap a lot faster than all of them.

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/01c843

I think this is a Whirlabout, but let's not quote me on that.

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/b96997 Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/c95ea2

Duskywings are still a significant part of the butterfly population.

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/3fc881

My teen trainee at MOSI has decided the Gulf Frit is her favorite butterfly. She likes the silvery undersides but I bemoaned the fact that they always look white in photos. Trust me folks, they're silvery and beautiful!

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/db8d61 Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/ef0509

And this is a postcard Dad sent me. I know they're in WV and the postcard says Ohio, but that's because Grandma lives very close to where WV, KY, and OH meet up. We usually end up venturing into all three at some point or another. The postcard notes, "The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly is the most common swallowtail in Ohio, and prefers forested regions."

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/45b05f
Image
Jul 29, 2014 8:16 PM CST
Name: Catmint/Robin
PNW WA half hour south of Olym (Zone 8a)
Region: Pacific Northwest Region: Mid-Atlantic Region: Maryland Butterflies Bee Lover Native Plants and Wildflowers
Echinacea Azaleas Forum moderator Cottage Gardener Garden Ideas: Master Level Celebrating Gardening: 2015
The Gulf Frit's underside looks beautiful in the photo, Melanie! :-)

Love that postcard!
"One of the pleasures of being a gardener comes from the enjoyment you get looking at other people's yards”
― Thalassa Cruso
Image
Jul 30, 2014 9:27 AM CST
Name: Glen Ingram
Macleay Is, Qld, Australia (Zone 12a)
(Lee Reinke X Rose F Kennedy) X Unk
Amaryllis Hybridizer Canning and food preservation Lilies Native Plants and Wildflowers Orchids
Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Pollen collector Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Plays in the sandbox Sedums Seed Starter
Stunner moth pictures Jack. Did you find out what that caterpillar was?

It has been exhausting getting through two weeks of posts. Too good, though.
The problem is that when you are young your life it is ruined by your parents. When you are older it is ruined by your children.
Image
Jul 30, 2014 10:06 AM CST
Name: Ronnie (Veronica)
Southeastern PA (Zone 6b)
Count your blessings, be grateful
Region: Ukraine Organic Gardener Keeps Goats Zinnias Dog Lover Morning Glories
Annuals Bee Lover Dragonflies Butterflies Hummingbirder Birds
Finally some action in my yard Hurray!

Thumb of 2014-07-30/luvsgrtdanes/ee8097 Thumb of 2014-07-30/luvsgrtdanes/f2494c

Thumb of 2014-07-30/luvsgrtdanes/90915e Thumb of 2014-07-30/luvsgrtdanes/81de29

Thumb of 2014-07-30/luvsgrtdanes/8ce24f Thumb of 2014-07-30/luvsgrtdanes/7421fa

Thumb of 2014-07-30/luvsgrtdanes/d1e2d4 Thumb of 2014-07-30/luvsgrtdanes/59a1ae
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Image
Jul 30, 2014 10:44 AM CST
Name: josephine
Arlington, Texas (Zone 8a)
Hi Everybody!! Let us talk native.
Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Butterflies Garden Ideas: Master Level Forum moderator
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Birds Cat Lover
Beautiful pictures Ronnie. Smiling
Wildflowers are the Smiles of Nature.
Gardening with Texas Native Plants and Wildflowers.
Image
Jul 30, 2014 10:47 AM CST
Name: Catmint/Robin
PNW WA half hour south of Olym (Zone 8a)
Region: Pacific Northwest Region: Mid-Atlantic Region: Maryland Butterflies Bee Lover Native Plants and Wildflowers
Echinacea Azaleas Forum moderator Cottage Gardener Garden Ideas: Master Level Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Beautiful, Ronnie! Smiling Love the swallowtails and silver-spotted skipper--and that looks like a painted lady?
"One of the pleasures of being a gardener comes from the enjoyment you get looking at other people's yards”
― Thalassa Cruso
Image
Jul 30, 2014 10:57 AM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
Ooooo Ronnie, you really did get some action! Thumbs up
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
Image
Jul 30, 2014 11:37 AM CST
Name: Catmint/Robin
PNW WA half hour south of Olym (Zone 8a)
Region: Pacific Northwest Region: Mid-Atlantic Region: Maryland Butterflies Bee Lover Native Plants and Wildflowers
Echinacea Azaleas Forum moderator Cottage Gardener Garden Ideas: Master Level Celebrating Gardening: 2015
A silver-spotted skipper lingered long enough for me to get a couple photos of him on my Verbena 'Lollipop'! :-)


Thumb of 2014-07-30/Catmint20906/9267bd
"One of the pleasures of being a gardener comes from the enjoyment you get looking at other people's yards”
― Thalassa Cruso
Image
Jul 30, 2014 1:54 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Melanie
Lutz, Florida (Zone 9b)
Butterflies Enjoys or suffers hot summers Hummingbirder Birds Bee Lover Bookworm
Region: Florida Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Bromeliad Native Plants and Wildflowers Plant Identifier Salvias
Ronnie, that's quite a bit of action! You got the regular Tiger ST and the dark form female! And Cat, that's a Red Admiral, not a Painted Lady.

As for me, I had to go pick some willow for the Viceroys so I took the long way to Walgreens since I had to go there anyway. I didn't find any new cats, but that's okay. But while I was in the Walgreens, I left the cats in the car, since I figured it would only be a couple of minutes. But that was long enough for one of the butterflies to decide to come out.

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/a89cbe

When I got home I put it on the porterweed to finish drying.

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/1a772d

I hadn't checked the Pipevine in like three days so it was out to pick eggs and caterpillars. I found this fatty on the vine. One of my co-workers at MOSI (who also works at Birds and Blooms magazine) says that Polydamas who are exposed to UV rays get these stripes on them whereas the ones we raise in the lab stay dark brown. I never knew that until a few weeks ago.

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/1546e5

But I found a few more that were still brown and hungry.

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/5a5fa2

Walking back to the house, I saw something I thought was a Polydamas (they're still flying around, but not posing). But I thought it looked kind of big - because it was a Palamedes! Woo hoo! I only see these a few times a year because they mostly live in the swamp. But they do pop in from time to time. I could only get two pictures before it flew away from me.

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/040de7 Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/8bcfd7

Back in the house it was egg sorting time. Here's all the Pipevine ST eggs I collected. I got about twice as many Polydamas eggs. They will all be going to the museum on Sunday. I can't handle breathing that much pipevine.

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/db1819

I realized I forgot to get a leaf of the good pipevine in case the eggs hatch and while I was out there I saw this Zebra Longwing.

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/ffd5af
Image
Jul 30, 2014 1:56 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Melanie
Lutz, Florida (Zone 9b)
Butterflies Enjoys or suffers hot summers Hummingbirder Birds Bee Lover Bookworm
Region: Florida Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Bromeliad Native Plants and Wildflowers Plant Identifier Salvias
Forgot the Gulf Frit!

Thumb of 2014-07-30/mellielong/471a81
Image
Jul 30, 2014 3:03 PM CST
Name: josephine
Arlington, Texas (Zone 8a)
Hi Everybody!! Let us talk native.
Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Butterflies Garden Ideas: Master Level Forum moderator
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Birds Cat Lover
Melanie, you are amazing. Smiling
Wildflowers are the Smiles of Nature.
Gardening with Texas Native Plants and Wildflowers.
Image
Jul 30, 2014 3:36 PM CST
Name: Catmint/Robin
PNW WA half hour south of Olym (Zone 8a)
Region: Pacific Northwest Region: Mid-Atlantic Region: Maryland Butterflies Bee Lover Native Plants and Wildflowers
Echinacea Azaleas Forum moderator Cottage Gardener Garden Ideas: Master Level Celebrating Gardening: 2015
I agree Smiling

Thanks for the ID on the Red Admiral, Melanie! I've never seen one of them before! Smiling I see they also have the 'Vanessa' in their name--are they related to the Painted and American Ladies?
"One of the pleasures of being a gardener comes from the enjoyment you get looking at other people's yards”
― Thalassa Cruso
Image
Jul 30, 2014 6:04 PM CST
central Illinois
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Photo Contest Winner: 2017
3 different Skippers (Silver Spotted, Peck's, and European)
Thumb of 2014-07-31/jmorth/73ebb0 Thumb of 2014-07-31/jmorth/c0b866 Thumb of 2014-07-31/jmorth/ebc58a

Cabbage Whites
Thumb of 2014-07-31/jmorth/611af7

Thumb of 2014-07-31/jmorth/0f2a1b Thumb of 2014-07-31/jmorth/3e9eb6 Thumb of 2014-07-31/jmorth/15beb5
Nothing that's been done can ever be changed.
Image
Jul 30, 2014 6:42 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
Nice photos J. I'm always surprised @ the cabbage whites; how they can look white or yellow or green.
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown

Only the members of the Members group may reply to this thread.
Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by Zoia and is called "Snow White, Deep Green"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.