Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: DAILY BUTTERFLIES Page 62, 0 by MissSherry

MissSherry wrote:
That's a great picture of a hummer, Melanie! I find them almost impossible to photograph, and on the rare occasions I do actually get a picture, it's blurry! And I love that porterweed - I've got coral and blue, and the little butterflies, like sleepy oranges and long-tailed skippers, especially love it.
I enjoyed reading about your butterflies and cats! For the past 4 or 5 years, I've raised hundreds and hundreds of pipevine swallowtails, but this year, the females all emerged in late winter, then the males emerged in spring, and I guess they didn't get together, because I've gotten no eggs this year. But today, I saw a gorgeous male when he briefly nectared on a butterfly bush in my garden. I would have preferred an egg-laying female, but it was a thrill to get to see that beautiful turquoise iridescence again. He flew off before I could get a picture - hopefully, he'll bring his girlfriend back next time! I've got miles of pipevines, mostly A. tomentosa, but some A. macrophylla, so I could sure raise some!
I released my last red-spotted purple today. I don't know if my picture is of the one I released this morning or another one - I've released six lately - but like most RSPs, this one loved nectaring on the wet ground - it rained - and stepping stones.
By the way, my daughter lives in North Tampa or New Tampa, whatever you call it - it's not far from Lutz.
Sherry