"She's like the swallow that flies so high,

She's like the river that never runs dry,

She's like the sun that shines on the lee shore..."

Newfoundland folk song

SHE'S LIKE THE SWALLOW
Tiger swallowtail butterfly in the garden, this morning, along with pearl crescent, skippers and cabbage whites. The latter proved too quick for my digital Olympus. I shall have to set up the Nikon on a tripod if I want to catch them at lunch.

Another Canova at the Villa d'Este, Cernobbio.
Villa D'Este hotel

The three above are not my photos, but once I saw a similar statue of Cupid and Psyche in the garden of a posh hotel in Europe. I remember it well.



Buzzy bee and friend.






Skipper.





Two skippers.

Spicebush swallowtail

IN THE PINK

The pink zinnias have become the most popular drinking spot for the winged jewels in my garden.

Above, pearl crescent butterflies on echinacea.

One of the few sunflowers to survive Bambi's depredations

Caryopteris and echinacea.
Micro mini red rose and peach geranium.

Clematis.

White butterfly bush.

Japanese anemone.

GOOD REASONS TO PLANT A BUTTERFLY GARDEN

These are some of the butterflies that frequent our neck of the woods. The zebra swallowtail is rare and so is the luna moth. Perhaps due to the clumps of mustard I have allowed to grow in sunny areas of the garden, cabbage whites are constant visitors. Monarchs come and go, looking for nectar and I make a note to myself,

"Plant more sedum. Plant milkweed. "

This quote should awaken one's sense of wonder,

"The best known migrating insect is the Monarch Butterfly of North America. These butterflies can fly for up to 3000 km in their lives. They spend the winter in Mexico and in spring they fly north to Canada. On their way the females lay their eggs on milkweed plants."

Hydrangeas, daylilies and butterfly weed--an unbeatable combination for the summer garden.