I wish we could get some rain up here in TN .... luckily, my milkweeds seem to be fairly drought resistant. I was quite shocked to see the Japanese Beetles really tearing them apart though - I would have thought the sap would have been a deterrent, evidently not.
I've had repeated attacks by those this year! Orangish eggs, dull orangish larva and the orange and black beetles. They truly can devour the whole plant quickly. If any of the larva survive, you have repeated infestations.
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
Some one I talk to on FB from India thought our butterflies over here where specially friendly because these where sitting on my hand. Had to explain about the cooler trick.
This Giant Swallowtail had just emerged....no cooler tricks here, I never have done that; but know what you are talking about. I took these pictures as I was releasing it. I tried to turn it around to get the dorsal side, but it kept turning to face me. Finally it complied just before it flew off. LOL!
I do too. I've seen a sulfur and a Gulf Fritillary here this week. Normally in summer, I wouldn't try to list all I'd seen in a week...much too many.
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
Lightbulb moment!!!
I just looked up the Hackberry and I have tons of them , I just never knew their name
I am sure it is because I have a whole hollow filled with hackberry trees. They grow like weeds here
Yeah, some people don't like them because of the weed-like thing. Seedlings pop up everywhere. But they are a host plant...I just won't let them grow inside the yard. I still have some milkweeds...in case the Monarchs get here, they will be waiting...unless those beetles return and strip them.
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
On the cooler to photograph butterflies.......Here is one mention of it on this guy's website. http://www.genehanson.com/butt... Read 'Natural, Posed or Captive".
Birds are these....best pictures I could get too hot to sit and wait. 107 today!
Black and brick red is a Orchard Oriole
The greenest one maybe a Warbler I will have to do some research on that one
I have a small cooler, I put the butterfly into a plastic container and put this in the cooler for about 15 minutes. This does not freeze them but it slows them down and will they are warming up I can get my pictures.
Enjoying all the beautiful photos . We do not have near as many butterflies here this year 
I miss them.
