Meanwhile on the ivy blossoms...

While the monarch caterpillars are munching on milkweed indoors, on their way to becoming beautiful butterflies, the ivy plants high above the patio are starting to bloom.

The ivy blossoms are rich in pollen and full of nectar that provide nourishment for bees at this time of year when many nectar plants are drying up or going dormant.

I always see a lot of bees on these blossoms throughout the day.

We are always trimming some of the ivy vines as they stretch through the lower part of our neighbor's fence, covering other vegetation. But it's good to see all of those ivy flower heads at the top.