Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Classic Summer Days

It has been hot and humid.

The Tiger Swallowtails have been nectaring
in the cone flowers.



The Gold Finches are finding seed on the Sunflowers.



Thundershowers overnight left us with half an inch of rain.

A female Ebony Jewelwing greeted me when I went walking.

She is my new favorite bug!

19 comments:

ChrisND said...

Like the swallowtail pictures...but that Jewelwing is so striking. It's very...ebony!

Anonymous said...

I like your finch photo, we've seen them feeding on our coneflowers but we're not quick enough to get a photo.

Jules and Ken said...

Opps hit the wrong button didn't mean to be anonymous.
jules

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Whatcha been up to the past few days Sherry? I hope all is well and good with you. Love this first picture. It almost sent me to my drawing table. That lily is marvelous too. They are so regal.

Anonymous said...

Summer... summer.. Birds do not thing so loud as they used to in spring but all the bugs and butterflies and summer flowers are here. Wonderful!

Cheryl said...

Lovely photographs Sherry as always......the jewelwing is so beautiful.....I can see why she is your favourite....

It is so dry here....although it has been chilly we have had no REAL rain for around six weeks now...maybe the odd shower here and there.....the soil is cracking and so so dry.....

Rose said...

Lots of rain here, too. Such a beautiful butterfly, but the jewelwing is just stunning. You know I don't know that much about insects; is a jewelwing a type of dragonfly?

Deb said...

Tons of rain here too - the most rain we've ever had in July! Yesterday we had hail as well. Love your finch photo. The finch have been nibbling the yarrow in our garden :-}

Jeanne said...

Your photographs are so beautiful.
Love and hugs and kisses
Jeanne

Mary said...

I love that dragonfly! Ebony Jewelwing. Beautiful. Stay cool, Sherry!

Q said...

Dear Chris,
I also am very smitten with the Jewelwings! I think they are my new summer classic bug!
Seeing one only two blocks from my house tells me they could come to my backyard. Now I just need to make sure I have the right habitat. I have water and weeds and plenty of mosquitoes.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Jules,
So far my Finches have left the cone flowers alone. They will get to them after they finish with the sunflowers. I have another batch of sunflowers in bud so hopefully the Finches will have plenty of food!
I need to plant lots more sunflowers next year so the Cardinals have fresh seed too.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
Since I have been feeling better I have been out and about! Lots of lunches with friends and family. I also have been able to do a wee bit of gardening. Eating supper from the back yard is the best.
The Tiger Lilies are so pretty. I love the way they turn their petals back. I almost had to water! It was getting so very dry.
The rains were a blessing.
Come August I think I will have a settled down schedule...home more...maybe I will be able to come visiting more often. I miss everyone when I am away for a few days.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Aluajala,
The birds are busy raising their young. Once in awhile I hear the Carolina Wrens or the Cardinals sing. Mostly I hear the songs of the bugs. They are summertime to me.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
I am so sorry to hear about no rain. I know what that is like.
We have been lucky so far this summer, so far I have not needed to water. Almost but the half inch of rain got me through until last night's 1.55 inch. It has been very hot too, 90's and high humidity. Once it gets hot like this, I must be inside. I do pop out off and on during the afternoon for a few pictures!
Hope rain comes soon to your gardens.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Rose,
Yes, the Jewelwing is a Damselfly.
This is a female. The males are iridescent green. When they move about in the light they turn iridescent blue. Stunning bugs!
The ladies have just a trace of iridescence on them. I am very much "wowed" by them!
I never mind a wet summer!
As long as we do not get flooding I am pleased to have lots of rain.
Summer thunderstorms are exciting!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Deb,
My yarrow died out years ago and I never replaced it. If the Finches like it I will replant for sure.
Walking in the summer rain is fun. I also love the way the air smells after a rain.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Jeanne,
Thank you!
I do enjoy taking pretty pictures!
Hugs,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mary,
I am sweated through my clothes in about twenty minutes! With the high temps and humidty it feels like the tropics outside. I come inside have my water and a cool down and go back for more bugs!!
I plan on coming to visit later!
I miss you!
Sherry