Today is a perfect day for butterflies. Cool, sunny, strong wind but not in my small sheltered area.
1 of 10. A Queen, I think.
Todays butterfly take.
I took about 75 pictures. Some are almost identical. About a half hour, altogether.
2 of 10. Another Queen.
3 of 10. Monarch on a milkweed.
4 of 10. Another.
5 of 10. Last Monarch posted today.
6 of 10. Sulphur in a large Hibiscus.
7 of 10. I was wrong. Another Monarch, sitting on a leaf of the large hibiscus.
Great photos, trois! Loved the hibiscus with the sulphur! Gorgeous! Keep em coming!
8 of 10. Gulf Fritillary on hibiscus.
Thanks, Becky.
9 of 10. Another Frit.
10 of 10. Another Sulphur in the large hibiscus.
beautiful pics Trios. Looks like you had a good day
Great Shots Trois! Did you take these with the "bird cam"? If so, you best be renaming it the bird/butterfly cam.
Love those queens. I don't see them here, that I can remember. I will be looking though.
Janet
Very neat pics, more please!
Busy day for you trois! Love those pics, especially the Queens!! :-)
Thanks, DonnaB.
Janet, I was going to set up the bird cam, but it was so nice out that I just set up my chair and let them come to me. I used to not look as close and thought the Queens were Monarchs.
Thanks, betterbloom! We are just now entering prime butterfly season. I must be careful about too many reruns.
Debnes, the Queens seem to have a richer color than the Monarchs. Now if I can identify a Soldier.
trois
The Queen's aren't Monarch's ? I just had a look at each side by side in your pics and I do see the difference.
Gorgeous pics!
Same mistake I used to make. The Queens have a darker shade of color. I have never saeen a Viceroy here, but they were plentiful in Oklahoma. Anyone have any?
trois
all pics are great but I really really like #1 and #6. I love those sulphurs.
Thanks, vossner. I can never pick a favorite. Each has something special.
Trois,
I meant to ask you earlier, and then plumb forgot. Is that a Sunshowers Hibiscus? I have one that is blooming that looks just like that one. I spent a pretty penny on that Hibiscus. I believe it's my most expensive plant out of every plant I have. I haven't noticed any butterflies nectaring on it though, and it's parked close to the milkweed and some other nectaring plants. I'll have to keep a closer eye out for them on that one. Yours looks very popular with several BFs.
Are the Monarchs and Queens cousins? I always see them "linked" (or so it seems) in the discussions I've heard about them here on DG. Lord! Butterflying is sure cramming my brain since I started it a few months ago! So much to learn!!!
Connie, I noticed that the Queens don't have the prominent M on their back like the Monarch's do. Their colors seem to run a deeper reddish orange also. They're definitely some majestic critters.
Janet
According to Carlos, it is a Sun Shower. Today is the first day I have seen them on it.
Due to the wind and sun, it was likely a bit warmer than most other flowers.
I think Monarchs, Queens, and Soldiers are in the same family. Last winter, I had all three.
trois
This message was edited Nov 16, 2006 11:14 PM
PS. I never ask DW what she pays for a plant.
Smart Man you are! HAHAHAHA
I saw that plant at a nursery that we don't normally go to. I wasn't buying a thing that day, but Connie had several items on the counter. As we were heading out to her truck, I spotted it and it was one of those moments (men probably don't get them, so you might not understand, but I'm sure your lovely wife would). I just HAD to have it!!!!!
I had tons of blooms when I bought it at the beginning of the Summer/ early Spring. Then it STOPPED blooming. I had it sitting under a tree that developed sooty mold. I moved everything that was in pots out from the tree and sprayed the devil out of it with insecticidal soap, and prayed for my lizards. Once the sooty mold was gone, and I knew things would be safe, I began moving things back over to that island. About 2 weeks ago, my beautiful hibiscus started putting out blooms again. When I see them, I just sigh at God's beauty!
Tell me, how could I have resisted such a beautiful tempation???
Janet
That one I couldn't have resisted. Ours also went through a dormant period, now is covered with buds. Hope the cold doesn't nip it. 37 this morning.
It's 40 here right now. Time to be getting all of the plants tucked away that might have a problem with the cold. I know what I will be doing today. (sigh)
We are supposed to warm up a bit today. Wind returning to South.
Well, it looks like the cold front has moved into Florida! Not as cold as some of you are getting, but pretty nippy over the next few days! Florida weather is cold one day and 85 degrees the next! Drives me crazy!!!! I never know how to dress for work if I don't check the weather report.
Good luck protecting all your plants. I am most worried about my tropical waterlilies in my container pond. Everything else will come back if it freezes to the ground.
We were down to 37 last night. Our tropical lilies have withstood 26 degrees, which is the coldest since we moved here 9 years ago.
trois - Really!!?? Mine are not in a regular deep pond. They are in a 14" deep small pre-formed pond. Which is also sitting above ground. So far they are not only hanging in there, but they are STILL blooming! Boogles the local nursery expert's mind and mine! I sure hope you are right! I just don't want to lose them. They are just gorgeous. I got them for such a good price and know that I will pay 3 times that amount if I have to re-stock my pond with these lilies. I've got my fingers crossed. BTW - I bought a aquarium heater, but can't figure out how to install it because the pond does not have any flat sides. (sigh)
Mine are just in a Mexican cabbage pot, completely above ground. I think it depends on how long is stays cold.
Trois - Well, we are both in the same zone, different state. I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of us! How deep is the water line in your pot?
I was outside tonight and I saw a bit of steam coming off the ponds. The ponds (actually pre-formed hard plastic liners) are black in color and I have moved them so they get the most sun during the day. No shade at all during the day hoping that it heats the water up for overnight lower temps!
About 5 inches of water. I will see if I can find a picture. It' 45 this morning
I just went out and took a new picture today. Easier than hunting for one.
trois
trois - Would ya do me a favor and let's take this discussion over to this link:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/671497/
I don't want to get too off topic here.
I have more questions to ask you about your awesome water garden!!!