A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) at the feeder.
On rare occasions the camera’s shutter clicks at just the perfect moment.
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The Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani). It seems White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) eat nearly anything but they will at least think twice before chomping down on this plant which has leaves and stems that are densely covered in coarse hairs.
It can be found in central and eastern North America, and grows from 3 to 10 feet tall with gray-green foliage. The nectar and pollen of these flowers attract a variety of butterflies, beetles and bees. And birds thoroughly enjoy the seeds.
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A Locust Borer (Megacyllene robiniae), enjoying its favorite meal of the pollen and nectar of Goldenrod (Solidago). Its length is about 3/4 in long. With its black coloring and yellow stripes it can easily be mistaken for a Yellowjacket or other wasp or hornet.
The Locust Borer is a species of Longhorned Beetle. It is found in eastern North America where it is a pest of Black Locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia). The larvae weakens Locust trees by tunneling into the trunk or branches.
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Unicorn Caterpillar (Coelodasys unicornis)
Caterpillars are amazing creatures that take on all sorts of shapes and colors. This one, of course, takes its name because of its unique shape.
They’re not particular about what they eat, munching on the leaves of a variety of woody ornamental plants such as apple, cherry, and rose.
The Unicorn Caterpillar becomes a dark gray and brown moth.
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Northern Pearly-eye (Enodia anthedon) with a wingspan of 1.5 to 2.5 inches. These butterflies feed on fungi, carrion, dung, and sap from Willows, Poplars and Birches.
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White Coral Jelly Fungus (Sebacina sparassoidea)
A severe drought and no mushrooms. Finally it rains and there they are again.
The White Coral Jelly Fungus grows in eastern North America, most often near dead Oak trees, though sometimes on or near other deciduous trees. These fruit bodies show up in late summer.
Mushrooms fascinate me. Such a different form of life. I pay no attention to their edibility or inedibility. Too often a mistake can be made. I find it best to just enjoy their beauty. Photographs are much more satisfying.
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School has started here, and in some locations much earlier, that means autumn is thinking of making a showing. Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) will soon be blooming, tempting bees, butterflies and the last of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
This butterfly, a Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), has been tempted by the nectar of the Pineapple Sage and its brilliant red blooms.
Autumn soon.
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A Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis). This is the ventral side of this butterfly. Wings up and closed. You are seeing the bottom side of its wings.
And this is the dorsal side of a Red-spotted Purple. The top side. As in this species of butterfly, butterflies often have very different looks, dorsal and ventral sides.
The dorsal side of a butterflies’ wings are often used in sexual signaling and for luring mates.
The ventral side of a butterflies’ wings are often used for camouflage to avoid predators.
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A week ago I did a post about a very small Robber Fly (Gnat Oger) (Holcocephala fusca). Tonight’s post is about a Robber Fly (Promachus rufipes) that is one of the largest of the Robber Flies, measuring in at 1.25″ to 1.5″.
These Robber Flies are ravenous predators. One will find the perfect spot, perching on a branch or a leaf and wait for its meal to fly into view. Springing into action to capture it in mid-air, clasping it with its claws. Using its proboscis, enzymes are injected that will paralyze the prey and digest its insides. Then it simply lands and sucks its meal as if it was a milkshake.
They’re good creatures to have in your garden since they will eat pest insects like Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (Halyomorpha halys). I’m hoping too that they’ll take a liking to Spotted Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula).
We just have to hope for more of these Robber Flies to come along to save the day.
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Blackberry Lily (Iris domestica)
Not a native. Native to Asia. But still it is one of my favorites – a rhizomatous perennial. The seed pod that will split open to display a cluster of seeds which resemble a Blackberry.
Thomas Jefferson grew this beautiful flower in his gardens. Me too.
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