Same here! We were beginning to wonder if we would see any at all this year!
Native Gardening
- Thread starter JBtheExplorer
- Start date
Same here! We were beginning to wonder if we would see any at all this year!
JBtheExplorer
Native Gardener
Female Monarch on Meadow Blazing Star this morning.
So beautiful
We haven't seen monarch this year. Our swamp milkweed is blooming too. I might have to put the milkweed somewhere else. Right now I think the monarch can't find it.
We haven't seen monarch this year. Our swamp milkweed is blooming too. I might have to put the milkweed somewhere else. Right now I think the monarch can't find it.
Last edited:
JBtheExplorer
Native Gardener
Another Monarch
Silver-spotted Skipper
Today I found my native garden's first Ambush Bug
Yesterday, my cousin came over to photograph the garden. Here are some of the photos he took. The garden was very active while he was here. Two Monarchs and a Red Admiral were flying around most of the afternoon, the bees were everywhere, and I even saw a Snowberry Clearwing "Bumblebee Moth" in the garden for the first time. Unfortunately, it was too quick to photograph.
Silver-spotted Skipper
Today I found my native garden's first Ambush Bug
Yesterday, my cousin came over to photograph the garden. Here are some of the photos he took. The garden was very active while he was here. Two Monarchs and a Red Admiral were flying around most of the afternoon, the bees were everywhere, and I even saw a Snowberry Clearwing "Bumblebee Moth" in the garden for the first time. Unfortunately, it was too quick to photograph.
(that's the jealousy eyes) I wish i can take pictures that look as nice.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2011
- Messages
- 2,367
- Reaction score
- 1,585
- Location
- Manchester, UK
- Hardiness Zone
- 9a
- Country
JBtheExplorer
Native Gardener
Today, I saw a type of Bumble Bee that I've never seen before. I wish these photos showed just how massive it is.
and of course... a Monarch.
and of course... a Monarch.
JBtheExplorer
Native Gardener
Another first for my native garden as well as a first for me, a Giant Swallowtail. It stuck around the Swamp Milkweed for awhile, but eventually got fed up with a Bald-faced Hornet they kept chasing it away and left. Those hornets have been on the Swamp Milkweed for weeks, and they keep chasing Monarchs away from the plant too, unfortunately.
So interesting that you mention the hornets - we've had trouble with them the last two years. We had several large nests to contend with last year and a couple weeks ago I got stung in the lip by one when I inadvertently brushed past a nest behind a shutter. And we're not seeing any monarchs yet this year - wonder if there's a connection? I'm going to check my milkweed for hornets tomorrow!
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2015
- Messages
- 382
- Reaction score
- 1,230
- Location
- South Central Oregon
- Hardiness Zone
- 4b
- Country
My pond and stream are just loaded with hornets, it's a bit scary working out there! With the very hot, dry weather and 11% humidity, it's no real surprise. Tuesday will be a real treat, it's supposed to only be 79!
JBtheExplorer
Native Gardener
I get them every year too, but usually don't see the nest until the leaves fall. They usually build way up in one of my Maple trees, though one year I was shocked to find their nest at head-level. I started thinking about how close my head was to the nest every time I cut grass.
I don't think there's a connection to your lack of Monarchs, since I've had both hornets and Monarchs in my garden every day for the past 15 days. The hornets chase the monarchs, but only to keep them away from the plant they're on. The monarchs typically move on to another plant and spend hours around the garden.
JBtheExplorer
Native Gardener
My bog gets loaded with paper wasps all Summer. I tend to stay away from that area when it gets real bad.
We had a nest like that, hanging right overhead about 7 feet off the ground. About as big as a small watermelon. We had taken some family pictures two days earlier and it wasn't there, so we knew it was built in less than two days. LOADED with hornets. The exterminator wanted $275 to cut it out of the tree. My boys did it for free - one worked the lopper and the other one slammed the lid on the trash can when it fell in!
JBtheExplorer
Native Gardener
Finally! The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is the most common Swallowtail we have, but I've struggled to get a photo of one in my native garden. I've seen only a couple, and they both passed by too quickly to photograph. This one stuck around a while today. There was also a Black Swallowtail that was in the garden at the same time, but it flew off before I had a chance to photograph it.
Yesterday, I had a Viceroy, but again, it left before I could get a decent photo of it. I did get a not-so-decent photo, though.
Yesterday, I had a Viceroy, but again, it left before I could get a decent photo of it. I did get a not-so-decent photo, though.
JBtheExplorer
Native Gardener
Another Tiger Swallowtail this morning.
