It was too hot for me to be outside today.
By 4pm I needed to be with the butterflies.
Too hot or not!
I went outside.
I walked around the house.
I did not see any butterflies.
I sat on the front porch and read the mail.
I was disappointed.
I wanted butterfly time.
As I gathered my things in flew the Tiger Swallowtail.
He feed in the zinnias that are growing
in the front peony bed.
By 4pm I needed to be with the butterflies.
Too hot or not!
I went outside.
I walked around the house.
I did not see any butterflies.
I sat on the front porch and read the mail.
I was disappointed.
I wanted butterfly time.
As I gathered my things in flew the Tiger Swallowtail.
He feed in the zinnias that are growing
in the front peony bed.
The bed is almost in full shade.
I planted the seeds on a whim.
Zinnias like full sun.
Butterflies like sun.
Tiger nectared for ten minutes.
Before I went inside I looked at these zinnias.
Giant Swallowtail had flown in.
He sampled each flower.
I felt so grateful to them and to the Swallowtails.
In flew Monarch.
Sixteen zinnias, three butterflies, one very happy lady.
I will save these zinnia seed. I will mark them "zinnias that grow in the shade".
10 comments:
Beautiful pics, Sherry. I must make a note to buy zinnia seeds :-)
*****
These are gorgeous photographs! I'm so glad you had butterfly time.
I believe 'You' can grow anything, anywhere. :)
Smiles,
*sprite
Sherry,
The butterflies felt sorry for you... :o) I'm glad they came by. I'm looking for birds but they aren't around much. It's too hot for them, also. We have plenty of pigeons, though.
I'll talk to the pigeons and ask them to pose pretty.
Hugs,
Mary
Dear Chris,
Thank you. Do plant zinnias! I would send you some seed but I do not think customs will allow it!
Old fashioned zinnias are the best.
Plus you can save your seed and always have your zinnias. These shade lovers will be kept seperate at my house. I guess a new strain has developed! They get some morning sun so I guess that is plenty. We do have heat so maybe it is the heat the zinnias love. Since you seem to have lovely, cloudy and rainy days I would find the sunniest location to start with.
Sherry
Dear Sprite,
I think my zinnia seeds took pity on me after I lost so many plants this spring!
I was so happy to have the butterfly time. I know how much I will miss them once winter comes. Maybe I could invite a Black Female Tiger Swallowtail to winter over in the guest room? I could do nectar pots for her.
Hummmm...
Sherry
Dear Mary,
They did feel sorry for me! I am a hopeless case.
I may have to go south come January just so I can be near the butterflies.
Pigeons can be very beautiful!
I like the "in flight" of the Pigeon. Big wings.
Sherry
I know how you feel Sherry, I go into the garden looking for our one and only Monarch :-} ... thankfully it doesnt take too long - the coreopsis seem to be a favourite stopping spot lately.
Dear Deb,
It is so fun to watch the butterflies. They are spectacular!
I begin knowing, in August, my butterfly days are slowly coming to an end. I want to spend as much time as I can with them now.
Enjoy Monarch. If she wants some nectar on her trip to Mexico I will have zinnias and milkweed for eggs.
Sherry
You have such beautiful and varied butterflies. But I am happy to report that we had 2 Monarchs on our Pink Corn Flowers today! :-))))
Mari-Nanci
Dear Mari-Nanci,
Such joy! I love seeing the butterflies. I have had more varieties this year then ever before. The more native I grow the more butterflies come. I have already planned to sow more zinnia seed next year.
The Monarchs should be migrating soon. You could see many more.
Sherry
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