To our delight, this afternoon ALL the butterflys that I've photographed the last few days plus a smallish brown/orange specimen that I think is called 'Painted Lady' were at the butterfly bush at the same time. What a sight to see them flitting amongst the branches and flowers - dancing in the breeze!

The best thing I did was move the butterfly bush to its present home right by our front door. If all goes well, next year a baby bush I planted this spring will mature and flower on the opposite side. I've got my fingers crossed.

 

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I prefer the kind of garden that has paths that just meander here and there rather than stiff formality. I like surprises around curves and comfortable seating in cool places where you can wile away a hour... more »

I prefer the kind of garden that has paths that just meander here and there rather than stiff formality. I like surprises around curves and comfortable seating in cool places where you can wile away a hour or two with a good book on a summer afternoon -- or a camera in the event an unexpected visitor comes calling. Some of my best photo ops have happened that way. My Butterfly bush, however, is right outside my front door and has afforded me wonderful opportunities to see and film a variety of butterflys. I've been less than successful though in getting hummingbirds on film. The females are fun to watch as they duel with one another should one have the nerve to think she can sip at the same time as the other. They chase one another, beaks clicking and wings whirring at an outrageous rate. I used to have a large shrub rose that grew at the side of my arbor the hummers sat in, waiting in ambush for another to come to a nearby feeder. The only species of hummingbird I've seen in this area of Canada is the tiny Ruby Throat. (less)