Because...

I haven't written a blog post for awhile because I've been waiting for an ending to a story I want to share.   That's (hopefully) coming soon.

So, I guess I'll post more hummingbirds and some butterflies instead.

Because I love them and maybe you do, too.

Monarch on Tithonia

And because if you aren't friends with me on Facebook you haven't seen the next photo, which I think is too cute too miss.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Coleus

Because, if you aren't on the "PA Birders-Photography" Facebook group, then you haven't seen my photo of a Yellow-bellied Hummingbird.  (Not really, it's a Ruby-throat with the sunshine reflecting the yellow from the zinnia).

If you aren't on the "Worst Bird Photographs Ever" Facebook group, you haven't seen my contribution of a "blurd" with a really crispy-focused twig.  Which, of course, was what I was trying to capture (NOT)!

Although, I did get the shot awhile later:

(It's good that hummingbirds are creatures of habit and often sit in the same place).

Because... the garden may be waning as far as the condition of the flowers, but the hummingbirds and butterflies don't mind.

Because even though I've shown you hummingbirds on coleus flowers, like this...

... I haven't shown them to you on my Butterfly Bush

or on the Tithonia.

Although zinnias still seem to be their favorites.

They are even occasionally a good spot for a rest.

Because I also achieved a goal I had of capturing in the same photo both a hummingbird and a Monarch butterfly! I got some shots but in the excitement of the moment I may have not gotten the best focus!  However, here they are:

They were both peacefully feeding... but then the hummingbird noticed the butterfly...

"Hey, what are YOU doing here?"  (It was a tense situation for a second or two!)  Then I guess the bird decided there were enough flowers for both of them and went back to sipping.  (Surprisingly enough!)

That's one flower which doesn't look so pretty anymore, but there's still nectar in the florets!

Well, that was exciting and I thought I should share it with you.

But, wait... what's going on behind me?

"Gizmo?  Are you finding this boring?"

"Grammy, I do not know why you stand there so long taking pictures of those things when there are chipmunks on the other side of the house.  I think I'm going to take a nap."

"I'm sorry, Gizmo."  

I hope I didn't put any of the rest of you to sleep. 

Helping Monarchs - Part 2 - Birth of a Butterfly!

Hi everyone, sorry to have kept you waiting!  

At the end of my last post (click here if you haven't read Part 1), I told you to 'stay-tuned' and I would share my photos of a Monarch butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.  The reasons why it has taken me awhile are: 

1. SO many photos to choose from and edit
2. What was I going to say about this amazing event? 

After much pondering, I finally realized that I didn't really need to say anything about it - just show the photos!  So, I'm not going to write much, but I do have a kind of funny story to tell before I get to the pictures.  

The morning of the emergence, I took some photos of the chrysalis.  I could see the butterfly really clearly and I thought it would probably come out soon.  Then, I waited.  And waited.  Then, I decided to check the photos I had already taken.  (I can't see them too well on the camera display, so I was going to load them onto my laptop).  It would only take a minute.  So, when does this butterfly decide to start to emerge?  You guessed it!  While my camera was downloading photos.  I didn't want to lose any of the previous photos, so (slightly panicking), I stopped the download as fast as I could, unplugged my camera, and started shooting!  

Here is one before she started to eclose (the proper term for "an insect emerging from an eggshell or pupal case").  Does that seem like a strange word for it to you?  It did to me when I recently learned it.

 Now, here she comes!

9:06:03

9:06:21

9:06:38

9:06:41

9:06:50

9:06:55

9:07:10

9:07:29

9:07:54

9:12:59

I noted the times from my camera so you can see how quickly this took place.

At 9:08:29, while her wings were still not unfurled, I took a short video:

I think this blog post may have set a new record for the least amount of time that passed in the taking of the photos.  There was the one about the Heron vs. the Osprey (six minutes) and my quick encounter with a Wood Duck and her babies (three minutes), but this one (at least the emerging part) took only about one minute.

Part 3 will be coming up... 'stay-tuned' again for video of her first flight and then photos of her release.  (And yes, "It's A Girl")

Butterfly Ballet

Today's post is provided solely for your enjoyment.  To me, it would be hard to come up with a better physical example of 'joy' than a butterfly.  So, today, if you are needing a 'lift', I hope you will find one here.

A secondary title for this post could be, "If you plant zinnias, they will come".   (Or perhaps, "I spent a lot of time in my garden taking these photos and I need to justify that it wasn't wasted"!)

Now, on to the "Butterfly Ballet".

First, a brief introduction.  The main characters are Monarch butterflies, with cameo appearances by a couple of other butterflies and a bee.  The plot... well, there really isn't one!  The music in the background (you will have to use your imagination, but think of gently rustling leaves in the distance and a slightly louder, occasional buzzing of bees.  The temperature is pleasant and the sun is warm on our backs.

Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show... (cue music)

The action begins with the overture-- five ballerinas were in the garden but I only managed to capture three together in photos.  Not sure which is the prima ballerina...perhaps this one?

She does have a lovely way of moving.

The next dance is a pas de duex.  These two start out surrounded by flowers, and then do a little showing off on the top of two nearby zinnias.

 Now, there seems to be a little tension in the garden...

Who does this fritillary think she is?

But our prima dona is not disturbed and keeps right on doing what she is doing!

The fritillary flies off to find her own flower, and all is well again.

 At least for the moment!!!

Dunt, dunt, dunt... DA...

Phew, that was a close call.  Mr. Bumble also went on about his business of pollination.

Now, it's time for the solo dance of our prima ballerina. Wait, who is THAT to the right of our star?

A lovely female Black Swallowtail joins in the dance!

There are enough flowers for everyone.

The End.

Now is usually the time for the curtain call, but butterflies are actually somewhat shy.  The best I could do was get this one to come in for a landing.

Now, our cast is all off doing what butterflies do best... flying away!

 

Dancing Monarchs

No words are needed....

There were three Monarchs in my garden this afternoon, but I only managed to catch two together for pictures.

I'm so happy to see them!  I love to watch them flying around!

 

I'm glad they stopped in my garden and I hope it helps them a little on their migration....