Monarch Days

Our gardens are full of Monarch butterflies.

Inside we watched as the Monarch caterpillar
 made her "J" and

her chrysalis.
 It will be 10 days before she emerges.

I counted one dozen Monarchs this afternoon in the gardens.

They are preparing for migration.

It is exciting to watch them.

Red Spotted Purple was also in the back Butterfly Bush

as was the female Tiger in her black form.
She takes my breath away every time I see her.

I am spending these end of summer days
 with the butterflies.

I watch the bees

and the caterpillars.

Autumn is coming.

Zebra Swallowtail

The Zebra Swallowtail does not come to the garden very often.

It is an exciting event when they do.

We stop what we are doing and watch them.

Today was a gorgeous September day.

Two Zebras graced our backyard.

One was in perfect condition

the other was Summer weary.

Such a lovely butterfly.

The Zebra over winter in the pupa stage.

I have three Paw-paw bushes, the host plant for the caterpillars.

I do hope a few pupa over winter in my backyard.