monarchs are now in chrysalis mode
Just as I thought, the monarch caterpillars were already in their 5th instar when I discovered them last weekend on the milkweed plant....
monarch caterpillars in the backyard!
Two months ago I purchased a small narrow leaf milkweed plant from Annies Annuals https://www.anniesannuals.com/ Every year for the past...
Umber skipper's delight
What fun to observe the umber skipper flitting from flower to flower in the backyard. First I saw it sipping on nectar from the orange...
The umber skippers and Shasta daisies
Here's one of the friendly umber skippers that are always visiting the garden. They seem to really love the Shasta daisy nectar because...
Swallowtail caterpillars!
At last! I planted a brown fennel plant in a container a couple of years ago, hoping to attract swallowtail butterflies to lay eggs on it....
The naked buckwheat is blooming and attracting local pollinators
The naked buckwheat plant is now in bloom, and for the first time in several years, I observed a hairstreak butterfly in our garden. This...
The umber skipper and the honey bee
I love to watch umber skippers because they seem curious and playful, flitting around the same area and lingering for a long time on...
More food for the pollinators
The bees, butterflies and hummingbirds have been sipping at the nectar of the Sapphire Blue salvia plants for the past few weeks. Some of...
Enjoying lavender nectar
Sunday was a very warm day, great weather for the bees and butterflies. Cabbage moths are very lovely creatures, with paper thin wings,...
The Sapphire Salvia spires are blooming
The Sapphire Salvia plants are blooming and ready for the pollinators! Even before the blossoms opened up, bees and hummingbirds were...
