Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) has a delicious fragrance and attracts a diversity of wildlife to shuttle its pollen about. Here at Flower Hill Farm there are numerous stands of milkweed in the fields and gardens. When the dainty balls of florets begin to pop, an audience of butterflies, bees, ants, and birds take notice. Spiders settle in and wait but these predators are not the only danger to visiting insects. Some of the pollen sacs or saddlebags attach and will not come off the tiny feet of … [Read more...] about The Allure of Milkweed
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Whites and Sulphurs
The Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme and Clouded Sulphur Colias philodice, are all inhabitants of Flower Hill Farm and are featured in this installment of Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012. Cabbage Whites 2012 and 2009 The Cabbage Whites I have photographed are males. A female has two black dots on each wing. The originally Eurasian and abundant Cabbage White is hardly loved by most farmers and gardeners. I admit to having my own bias against the ghostly … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Whites and Sulphurs
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Whites and Sulphurs
The Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme and Clouded Sulphur Colias philodice, are all inhabitants of Flower Hill Farm and are featured in this installment of Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012. Cabbage Whites 2012 and 2009The Cabbage Whites I have photographed are males. A female has two black dots on each wing.The originally Eurasian and abundant Cabbage White is hardly loved by most farmers and gardeners. I admit to having my own bias against the ghostly … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Whites and Sulphurs
Spring Wildflowers and Other Wild Wings Scattered About
The gardens, fields and forest floors are dotted with fresh spring wildflowers. A delicate dancing red Trillium magically lifts itself up into the light. An early to emerge Orange sulphur Colias eurytheme, flying about looking for vetch no doubt. I am excited to see that the chrysalis survived our winter and hungry birds. April is suppose to bring showers but this year there have been few and I guess that is good for butterflies. I have never seen so many flying wildflowers this early … [Read more...] about Spring Wildflowers and Other Wild Wings Scattered About
Spring Wildflowers and Other Wild Wings Scattered About
The gardens, fields and forest floors are dotted with fresh spring wildflowers. A delicate dancing red Trillium magically lifts itself up into the light. An early to emerge Orange sulphur Colias eurytheme, flying about looking for vetch no doubt. I am excited to see that the chrysalis survived our winter and hungry birds. April is suppose to bring showers but this year there have been few and I guess that is good for butterflies. I have never seen so many flying wildflowers this early … [Read more...] about Spring Wildflowers and Other Wild Wings Scattered About
