Eastern Black Swallowtail larvae feast on our bronze fennel.
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Hummingbirds are much smarter than we want to consider. They would have to be. How else would they know to buzz in for a sip of nectar when my camera is out of reach?
The first of the morning zoomed by to visit a basket Verbena and Lantana flowers warmed by early morning sunshine on our deck. I’d gone out with the cat to water first thing, before the day’s heat had a chance to build.
Even had I brought the camera out with me, the little guys would have likely buzzed away again before I could even turn it on. They are independent minded like that!
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I heard their comings and goings a bit later in the garden. My attention was focused on some late season planting and mixing up snacks of fish emulsion for the pots, and I was too busy to fumble off my gloves and pull the camera from my pocket.
The hummers could care less; they were systematically sampling the morning’s offerings of nectar.
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It was early afternoon when I realized they weren’t as innocent as I’d assumed. My partner and I were headed out on errands. Two hummers lingered at the top of the drive, as though to wave us ‘Good-bye.’
One lit on a branch to watch the car pull away while the other made a dash for the Lantana patch that grows by the street. Their message was clear: they would watch over the place while we were away.
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A female Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly enjoyed nectar from Lantana last Sunday afternoon.
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A new friend asked me over the weekend whether I photograph many birds. Questions like this leave me a bit on the defensive. I’m not much good with birds, especially with hummingbirds.
I’ve taken maybe five good photos of hummingbirds over the past several years. They always seem to take off before I can get my camera out and on and focused on them. They seem to have a sixth sense about when I’m paying attention to them, and quickly lift up and away.
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A tiny blue dragonfly paused long enough for a capture
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Maybe I should set an intention to capture more bird photos in the weeks ahead. The big ones, like eagles and herons are slow and patient enough for me. I’m always happy to snap their portraits. It’s the fast little ones that I’ve not yet learned to charm into posing.
So now you know the real reason why I’m thinking and writing about hummingbirds, while sharing photographs today of caterpillars.
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Caterpillars make easy targets for a novice wildlife photographer. They are so entirely focused on stripping the vegetation from the fennel that they pay me and my curious camera no mind.
These beauties are Eastern Black Swallowtail larvae, and they enjoy a variety of host plants related to herbs in the carrot family. They love parsley and dill, fennel, Queen Anne’s lace, and wild parsnip. I counted four individuals on a single fennel plant this afternoon, after finding only a single cat munching away yesterday.
Eastern Black Swallowtails may produce three generations over our long summer. Depending on the weather and the host plants, an individual may develop from egg to adult in 40-60 days. The final generation of the summer may overwinter here as a pupae. This beautiful butterfly may be found in Eastern and Central North America from Southern Canada south to Northern Mexico.
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We don’t mind them munching the herbs. We plant the herbs in hopes of attracting them and keeping them returning to our garden. Besides, the herbs are tough, and will send out new growth so long as we keep them hydrated.
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How many cats can you spot on the fennel? They blend in very well.
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That may sound like a strange thing for a gardener to say. But as much as I admire the beautiful plants in our garden, it feels very lonely and empty without the hum and buzz and movement of the many animals who share it with us. The garden is like a living stage; and it’s the animals, even the insects, who bring the drama to life.
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“The future of wildlife and the habitat
that they depend on is being destroyed.
It is time to make nature and all the beauty living within it
our priority
.
Paul Oxton
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Our hummers love this Salvia ‘Black and Blue.’ Goldfinches love the black eyed Susans.
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We’re willing to sacrifice the herbs in hopes of enjoying the butterfly adults! We plant lots of nectar plants to occupy the butterflies (and hummingbirds) while we enjoy them.
That said, I couldn’t find a single butterfly when I was out with the camera in late afternoon. My partner said he saw a big yellow Tiger Swallowtail, that I missed.
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A male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail enjoying the Joe Pye Weed last week.
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The best I could capture on this Wild Life Wednesday was a tiny dragonfly, a large bumblebee, some unknown bugs on an Iris seedpod, and this family of swallowtail cats.
That’s OK. I know they’re out there, and that means the garden is a refuge and delight for many amazing species.
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Native Hibiscus will open to welcome all hungry pollinators tomorrow morning!
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Woodland Gnome 2018
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Forest Garden 