...Not Over by a Long Shot!

For the past three days I've been out taking photos inspired by the fall...but especially inspired by the activity that the asters are attracting.  Yesterday, I got a huge surprise:  brand new monarch butterfly!  She was absolutely pristine!

Wing detail:

I was thrilled to see her, but she flew off after I took some pictures, I hate to think I scared her off...I was really hoping to see her the next day, but no luck...perhaps she had to go; she has a LONG journey ahead of her!

Today, I saw more pollinators and another species or two of butterfly.  ~smile~  As hard as I tried to show the amazing activity busying themselves all over the asters, the photos don't do it justice.

It *isn't* Over!

Despite the fact that we've dipped below freezing and most things are done blooming, the activity of pollinators is still going strong.  For the most part only the white asters are still blooming--at least one species is commonly called "frost aster" (I think), but I'm seeing the bumblebees, fly mimics, and other pollinators that I've been missing most of summer and fall.

The high biodiversity I'm seeing again makes me smile.

September

Nothing says September to me like asters.   New England aster is one of my favorites.

It is hard to believe that the month is at an end.  It occurred to me yesterday that I have yet to post anything this month.  In my mind, past years I posted tons of photos of pollinators coming to the fall blooms...so I was surprised to see that one post in this month is pretty normal for me.  Looking back, I found that the most I've had in the past two years were two!

That said, I didn't want the month to go without at least something to remember it by.  This month is always busy with going back to school...and too many weekends away from home.  Perhaps I've just not been around to see much, but I definitely think there are fewer butterflies and bumblebees this year.

Here are some highlights from this month:

Notice the poke berry stains on her beak.

Appreciating Subtle Beauty

I don't often appreciate the beauty of goldenrod seed-heads, but today with the sun low in the sky behind them, I was drawn to this patch. I had to run in to get the camera.

Some of the asters seem to be picked clean, while others still have plenty of fluffy seeds. While taking the pictures and admiring the beauty, this thought came to my mind: Why would anyone be satisfied with just a neatly manicured lawn?

Fall Day Diversity

With highs in the low 50s today, I was surprised to see such a variety of insects out on the asters and goldenrod. Although some of the bumblebees I encountered seemed sluggish, others were quite actively buzzing from flower to flower. There was a lone butterfly among the numerous of other insects.