It's wonderful that this is such a "global" website. I really enjoy seeing the flowers and insects of other countries. I'll look forward to your butterfly photos, Ceci.
There's a rumor that here in Texas we only have three seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, and Still Summer. While it's still warm, there are finally signs of fall. Everyone is looking forward to some cooler weather!

Same here, Char. Last year we had "still summer" all the way past Christmas here. But I must say, today we have some dry air that has moved in behind the storm, and the breeze is definitely "almost cool". Just beautiful out there as long as you're in the shade.

I saw a black swallowtail out there, came in to get my camera and of course the battery is dead so I missed the shot.

GrammaChar, those hair streaks are absolutely gorgeous!. Green is my favorite color and you don't see it much in the butterfly world making your sharp photos even more rare! You're all gonna laugh, but when I was a kid, I read thru the little Golden Guide books of weeds, insects, stars etc. like others kids looked at toy catalogs. I had a paper clip at the green hair streaks just to stare at every time.

Mellie, I am SO SO jealous of those Pipevines, I'm still waiting for them to find my plants. There's a feast awaiting when they do.

Brenden --come back come back!! There's still lotsa time. Monarchs aren't extinct- they're not gonna be!!!

I was thinking of just how late the Monarchs actually stay around here, so I dug to find an old photo from last year, I remember distinctly it was the last day I spotted one in my garden..... no date on it. But remembered it was the day I went to the Paw Paw festival: Sept 25th.
<- here it was.

Ann this is stupid I realize, but your cool photo of the Monarch chrysalis hanging from the paper towels triggered something in my mind LOL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

nativeplantlover said:Ann this is stupid I realize, but your cool photo of the Monarch chrysalis hanging from the paper towels triggered something in my mind LOL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

I remember those AND the commercial. You're right, that's what they look like. Thanks for the memory.

I remember those Lite Brite toys too. I probably vacuumed up two dozen little "bulbs" - along with a gazillion Barbie shoes. And this was in the days of vacuum cleaner BAGS. No way I was going to paw through all the dust bunnies in one of those looking for minuscule toy parts!

And this is for you, Cheryl. The Malachite is the most "green" butterfly I've ever seen!

Ohhhhhhhhhh Wow! You take some awesome photos Char but I think that one has to be the most impressive. Perfection!

But it's the top side of the Malachite that's really green!

WOW - that's beautiful!!!

I couldn't let you show me up, Char.

I'm jealous because you actually got to HOLD it!!!

One of the benefits of volunteering at MOSI. Not that Malachites are native to my area. My boss has connections with some butterfly farms and so over the years we've had some other Florida residents for fun. Atala Hairstreaks, Malachites, and Mourning Cloaks are the ones I remember.

Gorgeous!!!

Stunning!

You know, in all my years in South FL I never, ever, not once, saw a Malachite. Never.

Two Monarchs a few minutes ago

Mediocre photo of Red Spotted Purple





One of Two Monarch , Another Female

Possibly my only shot of a Malachite - Houston Museum of Natural History

(think it's with some form of a Clacker) - pure guess

Both are breathtaking!!!

Yeah, we used to put fruit out for the Malachites. They go to flowers, too. They aren't quite as picky as some butterflies.

Jim, love your RSP pics. I think your Monarch is a boy, though. I can see a bit of the scent gland along the vein.

Melanie I began to wonder that Myself , However the two Monarchs dancing around each other seemed to be Mating , not fighting
I am having to take the Black cherry out back down and out of the ground , I do have a two ft, Black cherry that I can grow in place of a redbud in the front
I can find a place for a redbud out back , it is the wires here wires there thing ,,
RSP was the first nice looking one I have seen since this spring and it still had a bite out of it's wing .. I have seen a few badly chewed up ....

GrammaChar said:Both are breathtaking!!!