Deptford Pink And . . .

Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria) is an annual or biennial plant that pops up in just a few places here, in one of my gardens, in a corner of the lane, or a spot in the woods, every summer. It is native to Europe and though I am dedicated to native plants, it makes me happy to see this slender plant emerging from the soil to a height of 1 to 2 feet. Each bloom a brilliant medium pink measuring in at 1/3 to 1/2 inch across — so you know that the Crab Spider (Thomisidae) on that bottom petal is a mighty tiny one, just sitting, waiting for its lunch to come by.

Another non-native enjoying the nectar of the Deptford Pink, the Cabbage White (Pieris rapae). A butterfly native to Eurasia and North Africa.

Deptford Pink with Lavender (Lavandula), which is a perennial herb, part of the mint family. That Lavender, another non-native, originally came from the Middle East and India. Arabs domesticated it and brought it to Spain in the 7th century. Then the Spanish brought Lavender to North America. Lavender and Deptford Pink, a lovely combination.

Last but not least, another visitor to the Deptford Pinks in my yard, another butterfly, but this one, a native, the Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe). And like the Cabbage White, it’s dining on nectar.

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THIS Is Why I Love To Fly

This indeed is why I love to fly.

I just have to be sure I’ve got one of my many camera with me, the perfect lens, AND a window seat, and I’m a happy camper.

Just so long as there are not tons of flight cancellations happening.

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Happy 4th Of Banana!

Yes, Happy 4th of Banana! And speaking of the 4th, here are some flowers, native to eastern North America, that make me think of fire works.

These flowers, Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma).

They attract all sorts of pollinators, like the Bumblebee in the picture above. A Bumblebee is part of the bee family, Apidae. There are over 250 species of bees in the genus, Bombus.  

Another of the pollinators, butterflies. This one, a Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor).

And of course the tiny bird that loves brilliant red, tubular flowers. Here, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is enjoying the nectar of the Scarlet Beebalm.

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Canadian Owlet Moth Caterpillar

Quite the impressive caterpillar. Caterpillar of the Canadian Owlet Moth (Calyptra canadensis). Native to most of Canada and the United States.

Adults have a wingspan of a bit less than 1.5 inches and are pale brown, looking much like a dried up leaf, a perfect camouflage.

The caterpillars of Canadian Owlet Moths feed exclusively on Meadow Rue (Thalictrum).

The coloring of the caterpillar, which I find appealing, is a warning coloration. A warning to predators that they have a very bad taste.

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A Gorgeous Beetle

Shiny black, like patent leather shoes, with an impressive purple edging. A Ground Beetle with no common name, but a scientific name of Carabus serratus. Ground Beetles are a large family of beetles, Carabidae, with around 2,000 species in North America.

Ground Beetles eat slugs, snails, worms, and insects in all stages of growth. All of these eaten either live or dead.

I’ve encountered a Carabus serratus several times over the years during my hikes up here on my mountain. Each time I’ve been able to return home with more photographs of the black and purple insect.

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Selfheal

Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris). A member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae).

Pollinators such as Bees, small Butterflies and Skippers seek the nectar of Selfheal. And Halictid Bees collect Selfheal’s pollen. In the image above, a Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) is gathering nectar.

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Tall Bellflower

Tall Bellflower (Campanulastrum americanum), in the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae). In bloom right now, in many spots up here in the woods.

The common name of Tall Bellflower is certainly appropriate since these plants grow to be from 2, all the way to 6 feet tall. Usually each plant is a single stem, although on occasion, a side stem may develop from the central stem. The plant has alternate leaves that are a bit rough in texture, slightly hairy at the veins on the underside of the leaf.

Pollinators are Bees, Wasps, Butterflies, Skippers and Hummingbirds, who will collect nectar and sometimes pollen. Here a Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) enjoys the flowers.

Tall Bellflower blooms from June to September. Their fruit is a coppery brown seed capsule. Native to the eastern US and Canada.

A delightful plant to have in the woods that surround my cabin.

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Canada Violet

I’ve recently come upon these beautiful snow white Canada Violet (Viola canadensis) on the trail going up Hightop, and also at the yoga studio where I can often be found. As you see here, they often bloom one at a time. Petals of this species are longer and more narrow than other violets. Each of the flowers is 1/2 to 3/4 inches across, and attracts mostly bees for its pollen and nectar.

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Berry Plume Moth

Quite the surprise to find these moths on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). These are Berry Plume Moths (Geina tenuidactyla), a member of the family Pterophoridae. Moths that look to me as if they are from the Mesozoic Era, and coexisted with dinosaurs. But they’re here today along with Monarchs and Tiger Swallowtails.

Tiny winged creatures. A wingspan of approximately 5/8 inch — tiny. Fun checkered or dotted black and white antennae. Thin, odd shaped, fringed wings held perpendicular to the moth’s abdomen, creating the look of a capital T. Skinny legs with thorn-like spines at sharp angles to those legs.

The caterpillars of these moths feed on blackberry and raspberry bushes, and dogbane. Adults eat pollen and nectar.

So very glad I was able to get photographs of these intriguing creatures!

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Pollinators’ Delight

Heading out to yoga this morning, I had to stop to take some pictures. Pollinators on the Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) having a grand time, were calling to me. In the photo, I captured more than I expected. The Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) was what caught my attention, and there to its right a Bumble Bee (Bombus). The unexpected surprise though, the Plume Moth (Pterophoridae) which is barely visible in the lower left of this image.

Be watching for a post about Plume Moths. Maybe tomorrow? They are fascinating creatures.

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