Black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes) ready to feed.... Candy Lily (Pardancanda norrisii 'Dazzler')
"The butterfly is a flying flower,What would summer be without butterflies? This year we have more than ever with the new garden. Three black swallowtail caterpillars have emerged and taken flight and we have seven currently in chrysalides, three more still growing in the butterfly house and more than twenty outside on the fennel. They are so graceful... and prolific. Next year, I will be planting at least three or four fennel plants to take care of them as two large caterpillars can decimate a large lacy cutting of fennel in two or three hours... they are eating machines! But seeing the adults return and flutter effortlessly around the deck and over the rooftop is amazing. They don't seem to mind the hot and humid weather.... 95℉ with 89% humidity ... but it really does me in. Then again, it wouldn't be a summer in the South without heat.. and humidity.
The flower a tethered butterfly."
~ Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun
Carmi's theme this week has been "summer". His photos have been gloriously cool, I can almost feel the wonderful waters... if I don't step outside that is. Oh, if only just a bit of that cooler air from Canada or the North Pole or.. well, from somewhere... would slide down to Virginia just a bit... maybe next week.
(end of post)
