Great Spangled Fritillary

Two thistle plants grew up next to the front porch this summer. We didn't pull them out as we (and most people) would normally do because we know the goldfinch love the seeds. We are hoping to get some good photos of the goldfinch when they come close to the porch for the seeds. A bonus to having the thistle there is that the Great Spangled Fritillary loves the thistle nectar and has been frequenting these plants. I finally grabbed the camera and took some pictures.

Milkweed and Butterflies

A couple of years ago we were along the Blueridge Parkway and came upon a field with nothing but milkweed growing in it. It was in the fall of the year and I gathered some of the seed pods, brought them home and scattered them. We already had a few on our property but I wanted MORE!! because I learned that the Monarch Butterfly lays its eggs on the milkweed plant. The Monarchs come through here, so I wanted to help them out in their reproduction efforts. Well, I think the seeds I scattered must have taken because each year we see more and more milkweed. (I'm trying to convince my husband that he needs to mow around each milkweed plant that he sees, but he's digging in his heels on that one! Ha!) Today I happened to go by with my camera when there were dozens of butterflies (no Monarchs yet) on the flowers.