Annie, loved the photos.......I have misplaced (I refuse to say lost) my butterfly book! Probably online looking is better anyway.

We got a light shower too, under 1/4 inch and our cooler weather is just mornings. It is 91° today.

I am able to work out longer in the morning though, so am loving that.

I am still waiting for some butterflies.

Beautiful. I didn't realize that butterflies liked phlox.

Oh annie those are lovely. c

Great photos. That Swallowtail IS a beauty.

When I can't identify a butterfly, I ask the experts in the Butterfly Forum, who told me my black and gold swallowtail that was unlike yours was a Palamedes. Palamedes wasn't even in my book!

Except for the big wave of butterflies that always comes in early spring with the blooming of azaleas, it seems to me that we're seeing fewer of each kind this year. I'm ready, with pentas and porterweed and zinnias, and tithonia coming on for when they do show up. I saw a Gulf Frit yesterday, a good sign that they're on the way.

Annie, do you have Sassafras trees? They are a host for Spicebush Swallowtails.

Nell

Nell,

Sassafras trees are not native in Oklahoma. When I was taking the scenic route through NC through the mountains, we stopped in the little mountain community of Highlands. I bought a Sassafras walking stick as a souvenir to take home to my son who was house sitting while we were gone. I bought two t-shirts: one for me and one for him that had the following words on them: "Hike Naked. It adds color to your cheeks". I get a lot of double take looks when I wear it. (hehehe)

But we do have Hackberry trees everywhere, and they are butterfly magnets. I have seen the Spicebush butterfly here on my property from time to time. Not sure what they find here for their habitat plant(s) of choice, but they do come here to my place. Not sure if they are listed as a common butterfly in Oklahoma though. I was thrilled! Haven't spotted one yet this year.

This is the first year that there haven't been any yellow Sulfurs, however. They are usually here in clouds, filling the air, so to speak. Last year they were spectacular!

Those late freezes may have something to do with it. During the warm spell before the freezes there were butterflies out and about, bees and all. Then those three freezes hit in late March and early April and that may have killed them out. Don't know. I sure hope they return. I love those little yellows. They frequent my Salvias, especially the Lady in Red variety. Perhaps they will return soon, as my Salvias are just now starting to bloom. That is really late too. Darned late freezes messed everything up this year. Everything is way out of kilter time-wise.

I couldn't find any Pentas this year. Wonder why? I love those beautiful flowers, too. Maybe we gardeners were butterflies in a former life. :)

The high temps have returned again today. UGH! Clouds are building again and rolling in. Big, white clouds, coming out of the Northwest and fairly low to the ground. I hope, I hope, I hope we get more rain...and the lower temps return.
Hope you all have a wonder-filled Fourth of July. May it be a memorable day for you all.

Going out now to add horse manure-hay mulch to more of the flowers beds and fruit trees. It is really making a big difference already.

Have a good one!
~Annie

Annie, those pictures are beautiful. That wasp-thingy is downright scary!

Annie those are wonderful pictures you took. Your gardens look just lovely with all those blooms and they all look so healthy. I was also glad to see that I am not the only one chasing flying things around the yard with my camera. LOL

Annie,

I too enjoyed viewing all of your photos and agree with all of the above posts. Just beautiful.

Punk

Lovely! Your flowers looks so pretty.

MeMo