On a wing and a prayer

Everything has it's beauty,  

But not everyone

sees it.

_ The Wisdom of Confusious   

                 

Cicada

   I thought I would share with you some of the wonderful things I have spotted in my garden this year. You may wonder why I would think the Cicada as wonderful. Some would consider it ugly but if you look at its wings they are so intricate, like lace. Then there is the sound that they make. Sometimes it is almost deafening but also like music that we identify with hot summer days. I love the song of the cicada.

   The other day when I went to get the paper I noticed that my front light was still on. Frustrated because it is on a timer that I seem to be having trouble setting, I went in to put the paper down and then fix the light. I forgot momentarily, a habit of mine lately, but remembered and went back to see if indeed it was still on. That's when I noticed a beautiful moth, a White-lined Sphinx, perched on the light and all my frustration disappeared. I grabbed my camera and got a few great shots, this is one of them. I am always amazed by the symmetry and color of these amazing creatures. If you're lucky it will spread it's wings to reveal the loveliest shade of pink. Absolute perfection.

White-lined Sphinx

  Last year I found a Pandorus Spink Moth in my driveway. At first I thought it was a leaf and went to brush it away until I realized it was alive. It is one of the most amazing moths I have come across, like the White-lined Sphinx, it has a lovely shade of coral pink on it and beautiful shades of green.
 I actually saw another one the next day and thought it was the same one until I looked at my pictures and realized that the markings were a little different and one had a damaged wing. So don't overlook the beauty of the moth, there really are some amazing ones out there.

Pandorus Sphinx Moth

   As far as the butterfly goes I don't know about you but I was getting a little concerned. There really seems to be a lack of them this year, especially with the Monarch population dwindling. If you are a butterfly watcher you would have noticed how each year we are seeing fewer and fewer  Monarch's. I think I saw more when I was in the East Coast than I did here all summer, which may have been about five.

Monarch Butterfly

  If you are concerned and would like to help one of the things you can do is to plant flowers to attract butterflies and provide the nectar that they need. One plant that they need for their survival and is lacking the most is Milkweed. Considered just that, a weed, people are cutting it down and the Monarch's depends on it. Now I'm not suggesting that you go and plant Milkweed unless you have the room for it but plants such as Butterfly weed which is in the Milkweed family is a good alternative.
  There is also a website, ebutterfly.com where you can record and keep tract of the butterflies you see and share with other butterfly enthusiasts.

  Last year I was lucky enough to witness the migration of the Monarchs, it was amazing to watch. I was out having my morning coffee and was looking around when I noticed a constant stream of Monarchs flying over head. It was really something to see.

Eastern Black Swallowtail

    Speaking of migration, a few weeks ago I was sitting outside and noticed a lot of dragonflies overhead, they looked like small birds just gliding along with the breeze. Taking a better look I noticed lots and lots of dragonflies and it seemed like they were migrating.  I have never seen so many of them at once and had no idea that they migrated but it turns out they do. It was an amazing sight and the next day they were still at it.

Male Emperor Dragonfly

I have been seeing a lot of Dragonflies the past few weeks and have managed to capture a few of them on camera. They don't make it easy, they are always moving and seem to notice every little move you make, but with a lot of patience and a bit of luck, they eventually take a break and you have your shot. 

Ruddy Darter

Ruddy Darter

   I love watching for butterflies and dragonflies and am always happy to see a new one to add to my ever growing list. I am always on the lookout for new plants to attract them to my garden and just bought a Dwarf Butterfly Bush. It's the same great scented flower just a smaller version. 
  This is a great time of year to buy plants on sale. If you are thinking of trying to attract butterflies and dragonflies, it's a great time to get the plants.  I also bought a Butterfly House this year. I didn't have any visitors from what I can see but it looks nice and who knows, maybe next year.

Red Admiral

Cabbage White - notice there is two of them.

   Last year one of my sisters, who is also a butterfly watcher was telling me about the Giant Swallowtail and how it was being spotted in our areas so to keep a look out for it. Not long after didn't I spot one in my herb garden, I couldn't believe my luck.
  It was interesting trying to get a good shot because it never seemed to stop so I just kept on shooting and eventually got some great pictures.

Giant Swallowtail

  This year, as luck should have it I saw another Swallowtail on my Butterfly Bush. This one was a Black Swallowtail and was every bit as magnificent and every bit as busy. They do not seem to want to sit still unlike the Monarch which seems to be a lot calmer. So patience is key.

Black Swallowtail

  This year I have seen several Morning Cloak's.  When it's wings are closed it blends very well with nature, resembling wood,  then it opens it's wings and wow, you see the most beautiful colour.

Morning Cloak

                                                                                                                                                                                     And then there is the Question Mark. I was so excited to see this butterfly. I had no idea what it was, moth or butterfly so after taking many pictures I looked it up. You can identify it by the white dot and comma on its wing. It looked like a leaf and was very tattered and torn. Apparently they over winter which can lead to the tattered wings. There is also a Comma, which has no dot.

Question Mark

  So when you are out walking or just relaxing in the backyard, keep your eyes open, look up and you will be amazed by the beauty of these flying wonders.

Happy Gardening!