Hope Grows: Finally Some Butterflies!

Earlier this summer I found Monarch butterfly caterpillars on the butterfly weed and swallowtail caterpillars on the parsley and I have been waiting all summer to see the butterflies. Finally they have arrived. 

Fortunately despite the oppressive heat there are a few plants that are performing so that there is food for these pollinators.

These beautiful winged creatures just seem to bring so much life to the garden. They are so graceful and fun to watch filtering and fluttering around and are a symbol of hope for the next generation to come.

Another seasonal visitor, ruby-throated hummingbirds, are busy zooming around the garden as if they are in the Daytona 500. I have been able to identify three hummers in this group and they are a curious family hovering in front of my face when I am out in the garden as if I were an alien from another planet and they are inspecting me.

Last week I blogged about how poor my garden was looking after being away on vacation for 3 weeks. I have been diligently nursing some plants back from near death and it looks as if there is hope yet for some of my ferns.

And the Calamondin orange tree is incredibly fragrant and full of blooms which the bees are devouring. Just how many bees can fit on one bloom?

Over the next month I hope to catch up reading all the blogs that I have missed over the busy summer. I also hope to plant my fall garden and (dare I say it) see some cooler temperatures. Anything out of the triple digits would be great. I am linking to Sweet Bean Gardening for this months Hope Grows meme. Please stop by Hanni's blog and check out what others are hoping for this month.