August in the Garden

 Rainy days in August is quite unusual for us here in Virginia.  Our family beach week proved that to be untrue.  Though rain and the beach don't often go together, we still enjoyed time spent with our children, our grands and our nephew and his family.   

Thunderstorms have been abundant since we returned home.  Many large limbs have been pruned by the wind and heavy weight that rain brings.  Last week found us cleaning up the garden.  I noticed another large limb has fallen in the back and will need to be taken care of soon. 

Between raindrops I've gathered rudbekia blooms for the dining table.  

Looking outdoors there is much to observe.

The Hummingbird moth enjoys time gathering nectar at the buddleia.  They are members of the Spinx Moth family (Sphingidae).  

The buddleia is such a wonderful shrub to have close to a window to attract the wonders of nature.

The vinca on the patio is also attracting butterflies.  Just when I thought we wouldn't be seeing many, they have come in abundance. 

 The Black Swallowtails are quite busy gathering nectar on the patio.

 

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail made his appearance as well.

He is also the Virginia state insect (Papilio glaucus).

I love all butterflies, but I'm always honored when the Monarch visits my garden!

Please indulge me while I click away with my camera.

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."  Maya Angelou

 

What a Summer

 

Summer used to be a favorite season of mine.  I guess it was a carryover of summer vacation from school.  Carefree days going barefoot and lazily enjoying endless days biking and roller skating with my sisters and friends.  Even after getting married and having children, I remember summer days were wonderful carefree days on our boat water skiing and looking forward to our annual week at the beach.  Did I care about the heat and humidity then?  I honestly don't remember that.  I did not grow up with central air conditioning.  We had a window unit that my Daddy would allow us to use on the most hot evenings in our upstairs bedroom.  Well, that was then and this is now.  I have a love hate relationship with summer in Virginia. 

 

  

I do love the pleasant days spent on the patio.  We have had the hottest, driest July that I can remember.  Only during early mornings could you find us enjoying time reading and gardening this year.

 

A baby cardinal was perplexed by his reflection and flew into the window incessantly.  Reading about this behavior revealed that he was demonstrating his need to defend his territory.  The poor fellow kept up this action for over a week!

As soon as the calendar page was turned to August we received rain.  Glorious rain from the heavens!  We have had over 9 inches of rain this month after having hardly a drop in July.  The mushrooms are popping up all over.

 The jasmine has been blooming and sending its wonderful fragrance onto the patio.

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly enjoys the white buddleia blossoms.  It is Virginia's state insect and is one of the largest butterflies.

The elusive Monarch showed up to our delight.

The Sphinx Moth enjoys nectar on the patio vinca. These little moths are wonderful to view as they go from blossom to blossom gathering nectar.

The Black Swallowtail shows erratic behavior that we haven't observed before.

 

A darling little Pearl Cresent butterfly visited the nearby azalea.  He is quite small, only 1 inch wide. 

Grayden came to my rescue one morning and helped me clean out the periwinkle and lily of the valley that was completely taking over this garden.  With all the rain we've had it made for easy digging, though the tough roots of the invaders made huge masses of roots.  

The Dragon's Head is just beginning to blossom.  It's nice to have plants growing that were given to me by a friend years ago. 

From my research this may be a Fiery Skipper if I'm not mistaken.  If you know please comment.

Yes it's been an unusual summer, but still much beauty to enjoy.  We still walk the trail every morning at the crack of dawn and otherwise stay home tending to our home and garden.  I'm thankful for diversions during this time in history.

August Changes

♫ A Thousand Years ♫

August has been a very hot and humid month in our corner of the world.  June and July were the wettest months in summer for all the years I can remember.  August is just the opposite.  We've had very little rain.  I'm so thankful as I write this, that it is raining now.  Not much is expected, but I'm happy for all we will receive.

In spite of all the heat and humidity and lack of rain there has been much to observe in the garden.  The butterflies have been flocking to the buddleia.  There is so much joy watching nature all around us.

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells us it's going to be a butterfly."  Fuller

Black Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

 Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Red Admiral Butterfly

Fritillary Butterfly

The flowers have grown so much this month.  As much as I don't like the oppressive heat, the flowers love it.  They do if I continue to give them supplemental water.  Pot bound plants now need more water than usual.

The patio impatiens, that were planted from seed, are now filling in nicely.

This little hummingbird comes to call on the geranium blooms.

We've watched this little fellow grow up this summer!

We've always been worried about our bunny and this fellow.  Nature can be quite harsh!

Red-shouldered Hawk

Our backyard bunny is now larger and hopefully will not be seen as dinner for this bad boy.  He was overlooking this bed of rudbeckia goldstrum.

Summer is slowly leaving us and another season will be coming soon.  The angle of the sun is quite different as it shines through our windows.  Samuel began school this week and  Alex and Miles will be starting another year of school after Labor Day.

The swings are waiting for another visit.  Meanwhile the spiders are taking up residence and Autumn is not far behind.