The butterfly bush (I think that’s what it’s called) out in Mother’s front yard was a clutter of flutter with butterflies and bees this week.
Tattered butterfly
I felt sorry for this guy. He (or she) has been around the block and is the worse for wear. I know exactly how he (or she) feels.
Photo gallery
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Sure looks like a butterfly bush. Ours is white and HUGE. I didn’t get it cut back in January and it is way overgrown. We even had hummingbirds checking out our blooms.
I does seem to be an active summer this year in Cape. I noticed a humming bird in the back yard yesterday at my dad’s house on Oak Hills Drive. The butterfly looks like he has had a good life, well lived with the scars to prove it!
Mother put out her hummingbird feeders last week. It didn’t take long for the birds to find them.
I thought there was a humming bird working over this bush, but when he slowed down enough for me to get a good look, I discovered he was the Daddy of All Bumblebees.
The tattered butterfly looks like a Zebra Swallowtail (white with black markings), while the other in the pictures looks like a Tiger Swallowtail (yellow with black markings).
My insect identification skills are limited. I divide insects into several classes: Stinging, Biting, Eats-My-House, Splatters on My Windsheld, and All Others That Don’t Bother Me.
Butterflies and their ilk fall into the latter category (unless I’m driving and they come into my path).
Outstanding pictures. I love the color and clarity of the butterflies and the flowers.