A Good Day for Butterflies
It was gorgeous on Saturday, mild and sunny. I was doing this and that in the front garden when I noticed that we had no fewer than three Monarch butterflies fluttering about. That’s the most we’ve had so far this year, though we’ve had as many as half a dozen in August and September, as the migration southward picks up steam.
They were slurping up nectar from the Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia). You can see the proboscis above stuck into the flower like a straw.
I tried but failed to get a good picture with more than just Monarch.
Actually, I noticed them first on the Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). They were feeding on the flowers, but there was one who I’m almost certain was laying eggs. Later I looked for the eggs but couldn’t find them. Since Monarch eggs are pretty tiny, and I’ve read they lay only one egg per plant, the eggs still could have been there. That’s what I hope, anyhow.
I accidentally caught this shot of a Monarch lifting off from a Mexican Sunflower.
And away we go!
I also noticed what I think is an American Lady. She was a nervous creature, and it was hard to catch her when she was still. She seems a little drab, but I have the impression that both the American Lady and Painted Lady are more colorful on the undersides of their wings.
And look, there’s an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
First one I’ve seen this year in the garden. I love the line of what look like blue thumbprints toward the rear of both wings.
Not a butterfly, but I thought this wasp was kind of handsome. He looks like he’s sticking his tongue right into the flower. Can anyone identify him?
I like his black and orange color scheme. Perhaps an Orioles fan? Or maybe the Bengals?
Earlier in the year the pollinator presence in our garden was rather sparse. At this point, though, it’s a hub of buzzing, fluttering activity. A very satisfying thing for this gardener.
That’s all for now.
gardeninacity 
Lovely creatures. Great photos
Thanks!
Wow you hit the jackpot with the butterflies! No such luck in my yard although I did have a Monarch. That’s a Great Golden Digger Wasp. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one. Beautiful. Great pictures. 🙂
Thank you – and thanks for the ID!
Tithonias are an absolute magnet for Monarchs, as are any of the milkweeds.
I also found 4 Painted Ladies and a Red Admiral on a clump of Echinacea the other day-very heartening to see so many butterflies in our area. The “Mosquito control” companies do most of them in.
Oy. I hate to think about what the are spraying. The Echinaceas are also great for attracting butterflies.
Fantastic photo
It’s good to know that the Monarchs have found your garden, you are obviously growing the right plants! Butterflies aren’t easy to photograph, you have some amazing shots.
I agree, it is very satisfying to hear and see butterflies and bees in the garden…the Monarch butterfly looks absolutely fabulous on the Mexican sunflower…the first photo is particularly eye-catching.
You are so lucky to have butterflies. I have not seen one this year so far. Last year I had many butterflies, and my garden is full of echinacea, butterfly bush, liatris, and anise hysop, so there should be plenty of food. I really miss them. Wonderful pictures you took.
That is very sad. I hope the butterflies return to your garden soon!
Wonderful photos Jason, especially of the Monarch taking off, and the wasp photo too!
Such excitment!. Great to see all of your visitors.
I’m glad to find someone else who chases butterflies in their garden. Heinlein called them ‘mobile flowers.’ Glad you had such a nice day in your garden. Lovely pics.
I like “mobile flowers”.
Makes the heart sing!
Yes!
Wonderful photos! How gratifying to have so much fluttering beauty among the flowers.
So very cool! I’m excited for you in regard to the butterfly egg. The photos are so crisp.. You did good.
Thanks!
That first shot of the Monarch on the Tithonia is fantastic! After years of very few butterflies in my garden, I’ve been seeing more this summer. I optimistically choose to interpret it as a sign of increased societal pollinator awareness and support. I hope it continues!
I like your optimism! Glad the butterflies have found you!
It’s heartening to see those monarchs–great images.
It’s livened up around here too.Marvelous seeing your butterflies. Just love that wasp, I’ve never seen one like that before.xxx
We’ve had 3 to 5 Monarchs dancing around our native plant bed. They seem to especially like the Meadow Blazing Star in our garden.
Glad you reminded me – we need some Liatris!
We have lots of pollinators but zero Monarchs so thanks for sharing yours. 🙂
You’re lucky to have monarchs. I haven’t seen a single one this year.
Oh, I hope that changes.
You took wonderful pictures of your butterflies! Next year I also have to plant Tithonia.
I recommend it! Just give it lots of sun.
Your insect photos (and as always the flowers) are really great.
Thank you for the photos. You make us feel as if we were there, and there is a very beautiful place.
Thank you!
I have not seen as many butterflies this year as I usually do. Unfortunately, many more aphids and thrips.
That’s too bad. Not sure I know what a thrip looks like.
I haven’t had as many butterflies this year as last. Am hoping they are feasting on your plants and will make their way south in due course. Lovely photos.
I hope they arrive in your garden soon!
I’ve already had one fat monarch cat in the garden, which was super exciting! I saw a monarch on the swamp milkweed and am hoping for caterpillars. My tithonia this year was stuffed into an empty spot by the air conditioner and ignored so it’s really little. Sad, I know. I resolve to be better next year! Love your tithonia pics! I have loads of swallowtail cats but this is their native range so I have loads every year.
Treat your Tithonias right! I haven’t seen any cats in over a month – very frustrating!
Gorgeous photos! We are also in butterfly mode here this last week. I love it.
Such stunning shots os stunning butterflies, Jason! I wish we had more in the garden, but we don’t have the plants for the caterpillars to munch on so we only see them rarely and in passing. It’s something I’ll be working on after I get the year-round bee-food sorted!
Wonderful shots!
Beautiful!