One must be careful about stepping out to the garden for just a quick look around. In today's case, I had wandered off leaving a cake baking in the oven. Thankfully, I did make it back before the cake was burned, but only by a hair's breadth.
Surely, we all remember the Gilligan's Island episode in which a famed butterfly collector comes to the island in search of the rare "Pussycat Swallowtail," and the castaways try to help him find it so he will shoot his flare gun and rescue them.
Well, it wasn't the Pussycat Swallowtail that detained me in the zinnia patch just now, but close... It was a very large yellow swallowtail, and a gorgeous black one too that appeared just as large as the yellow one. I have pictures...
Never mind that the zinnias have taken over the garden which is not going to work. They need a room of their own, for sure. I, and the other plants, need space too, so there is much planning and work to be done before the summer tanager returns next spring to sing another song.
It was coincidental that the subject of yesterday's journal post was the Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly.
The out-of-control zinnia patch...
It has been sheer craziness at the hummingbird feeders the past few days. I have pictures, but it is hard to capture such chaos. I focused on only three of the feeders, but there are eight more, so one can imagine.
17 comments:
Hi Mary, Such a beautiful post, you have captured such pretty photos of blooms and butterflies and hummers. Loving your journal pages too. You are a gifted artist (so happy you made back in time to get your cake out of the oven)
I love a solid patch of zinnias. I did that at the woods house one year and it brought loads of butterflies and beauty-I want to try that again.
Thank you for sharing hugs
Wow woman, you are definitely the hummingbird whisperer. And love your out of control zinnias.
You certainly have an abundance of zinnias!! They are so beautiful. As are the hummingbirds. I wonder if they remember from year to year when they migrate that you have feeders out. I find that amazing.
Oh, Mary! That first photo is absolutely stunning! It takes my breath away. Your swallowtails are more cooperative than my dark one was the other day. S/He just couldn't decide to stay with one bloom long enough to open his/her wings wide enough for a decent photo. And your hummers definitely play much nicer together than the ones here. While I have multiple feeders trying to alleviate the in-fighting, there is never more than one that can feed at one time...and usually s/he is harassed unmercifully by another lurking in the wings. The final frenzy has slowed here as I am assuming many have already started their Incredible Journey. Thanks for the "awe" and the "awwww".... ~Robin~
Definitely a hummingbird whisperer! I have yet to see multiple hummingbirds at our feeder. We only have a few but they would much rather harass each other, often preventing even one from alighting on the feeder. One male seems to be the culprit most of the time.
I don't think your zinnias are out of control one bit!!! The more the better! And wow...hummingbird feeding frenzy!!! Getting filled up for their long migration journey?!!
Oh what beautiful butterflies, much bigger than most of the ones we get over here in the UK. Your Zinnias are gorgeous, but it sounds as though they are like forget me nots in my garden, I love them dearly, but they do rather take over, and crowd everything else out. I have resolved to be fiercer with them next spring.
I was very amused by your washing line rules, I'm not sure I follow any of them, but you don't include my one rule, enjoy the world around you, listen and feel as you peg out those linens!
Hope your new shoes are comfortable and give a bit of bounce to your walks ...
the zinnias are lovely and great to cut for a small vase at home. We have seen a lot of hummingbirds we have no feeders out but a few blooming plants they like. I have not seen a lot of butterflies this year. We want to plant some milk weed on the front of our property.
Glad you could save your cake
Cathy
Oh my goodness! Feeding frenzy indeed! I have never seen so many hummers in one place before. I'm so happy to have read your post today-the butterflies and hummers will be on my mind all day. I have some books for you. Will send soon...Love what you're doing in the journal.
I sure hope to have an out-of-control zinnia garden next year. The seeds await and I am so glad I ordered them early, thanks to your posts. The mother of pearl poppy seed packet rests beside them in the cupboard drawer. Your huge flock of hummers is awesome! Ours empty the single feeder every other day. I don't think I've seen a black swallowtail before. Wonderful images today!
The zinnias are so beautiful. I love them 'out of control'
Wow so many hummingbirds - don't think I've ever seen so many at one time.
Gorgeous photos of the butterflies too.
Lovely post!!
What beautiful zinnias!!!! And that butterfly is gorgeous.
So many hummers, so far to go. I put up a hummingbird feeder my daughter got me since since Puss is getting to be an older girl I feel she is not much threat. I don't have but two or three that come.
LOVE your art!
Your photos are so amazing! I am not that good at taking pics of animals or birds. How fun to see the feeding frenzy of the hummers! I so love watching them in my yard too. It seems they always come out at the same time each day around here too. Janice
I'm sure you can guess why we have a cake fondly called 'Burnt Offerings Cake' in our household. A friend dubbed it that as she drove in my driveway for lunch only to be greeted with the front door flying open and a flaming cake flying out into the snow. Needless to say dessert wasn't on the menu that day!
The zinnias are astounding but not nearly as much as the sheer numbers of hummingbirds in your photos. Wow! It's obvious they're taking up for the long flight south.
How beautiful is this posting! I love the zinnias and butterfly.
So many hummers! And your zinnias are enviable. I wish I could have an "out of control" zinnia patch. But wait, that's two temptations to covetousness to resist. Reset: I do have two hummingbirds drinking at my flowers and feeder, and quite a few lovely zinnias "of my own." I'm content. Seeing your abundance is a treat. <3
The hummers are so beautiful! I see them in my garden looking for nectar but I need to put my feeder out! It's probably too late this season but will try in the Spring! Love the zinnias! Never too many!
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