Beth's Patch ~ Stellar Days in Our Gardens

The past 2 weeks have been really great in the gardens, in spite of the fact that we haven't had any rain.  I have been out using sprinklers to water the gardens and on a rare occasion the lawn.  I count and blog my butterflies on the South Jersey Butterfly Blog every few days.  My highest day for species was 28 species on September 10th with a number of 20 plus species days since then.  From my record keeping I'd say 28 species in a day is the highest number I have ever had in any year since I planted the gardens.

Tawny Emperor Butterfly- Year yard butterfly #41

American Lady and Painted Lady Butterflies

Fiery Skipper, Gray Hairstreak, Ocola Skipper(upper rt)

Question Mark Butterfly and Red Admiral Butterfly

Red Admiral Butterfly

Mating Variegated Fritillary

Viceroy Butterfly

Viceroy Butterfly

American Lady Butterfly

Beth's Patch ~ Long-tailed Skippers

This year has been a good year for Long-tailed Skippers in our gardens.  I saw my first LTS on 9/7 and the continued on & off every few days sometimes being seen several days in a row.  My best day ever was today.  I saw 3 definite LTS with a probable 4th one in the yard.  I must say they are one of the prettiest skippers I have ever seen.

Beth's Patch ~ Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

On September 7th our yard hosted a new yard butterfly species #53 Giant Swallowtail Butterfly.  It's a rare visitor to Cape May County so I was excited to have it visit.  Since that time I have had 4 sightings in my yard of the Giant Swallowtail.  By images one of the GS's is the same GS that has been visiting a friend's gardens who lives about 2 miles away.  It's exciting to have new butterflies stop by to nectar in our gardens.

Beth's Patch ~ Brazilian Skipper

Brazilian Skipper nest

 Last year Brazilian Skippers were everywhere in Cape May County and this year there were few of them.  Their host plant is canna.  I found 3 nests in my yard late in August on my canna's in the front yard but ended up with only one viable pupa that eclosed.

Hiding in the nest is a Brazilian Skipper like this one.

Brazilian Skipper chrysalis

Brazilian Skipper

Oaks, PA ~ Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza

Vintage Linen Exhibit at the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza - the linens were just amazing.

Beth's Patch ~ Sleepy Orange Butterfly

So excited to see the First of Year Sleepy Orange Butterfly in our gardens today.  I hope it stays around for a while.

Beth's Patch ~ Awash in Common Buckeye Butterflies

Common Buckeye Butterfly

The yard is awash in Common Buckeye along with Painted and American Ladies.  I estimate over 200 Cb's are flying and nectaring in the yard. 

These Common Buckeye Butterflies are still mating despite how much of their wings are gone.

Another (different) CB is laying eggs next to the snapdragon plants that are a host plant for them.

Beth's Patch ~ Red-spotted Purple Butterfly

I was out tin the yard for a walk thorough to see what butterflies were there.  When I went out I saw a Red-spotted Purple butterfly flying around the hackberry tree.  She soon moved over to a small potted cherry tree that I wasn't able to plant yet.  As I watched her, she laid about 10 eggs right on the very tips of the leaves.  I am hoping she comes back tomorrow to lay more eggs.  I can't wait until they hatch.

Fabric Postcards ~ Black, White plus one Swap

 I have to say I really enjoyed this swap. It was to make a fabric postcard using black, white and one other color.  I used black, white and gold making postcards using the lace applique and beading them with gold beads.  I received the cards below.

Sherri to me

Pat to me