Last year I let the weeds take over the garden. This year, however, I’ve been keeping on top of the weeds (with help from Johnathan, Alexander, and Joseph), and my perennial garden is really thriving. This has drawn a multitude of butterflies to our yard, and species I had never even seen in our yard, such as tiger swallowtails, now visit us daily. Today I was also fortunate enough to see a viceroy on the aptly named butterfly bush, a kind of butterfly I didn’t even know lived in South Dakota. It was kind enough to stay around long enough for me to run inside and get my camera, and let me get really close to it.
God gave the Viceroys a very effective disguise, and they look like the poisonous monarch to fool birds. The only way to tell them apart is by the line the viceroy has on the hindwings, which the monarch lacks.
Tiger swallowtails are very easy to catch, and I caught this one with only my hands! I brought it inside to show Mom and the boys, then let it go again outside.
Coneflowers attract not only butterflies, but hungry goldfinches as well!
Sarah,
What a neat picture. I’ve never seen a bird on a flower.
How are things going up there?
Love, Grandma
Sarah,
I was in your archives for summer. The first photo of the butterfly is so intense, the purple so vivid & subject well centered. I declare it magazine worthy!