Monday, August 22, 2011

Summer Delights

Our country property is especially lush and beautiful over the summer months. While taking a break from my usual chores, I delight in wandering around our acreage with my camera in hand. There is always something lovely and interesting to see. In this post I feature several of the pretty sights I have observed this summer ~ Identification corrections always welcome


A colorful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly enjoys the deep purple blooms of a Tall Ironweed plant


 Wild Bergamot flowers attract this beautiful hovering Hummingbird Clearwing Moth


A Monarch Caterpillar navigates the buds of a Common Milkweed plant ~ I have seen very few of these striped beauties this year


A Viceroy Butterfly shows off its gorgeous wings


The iridescent colors on this tiny Condylostylid Long-legged Fly are especially resplendent


Red Milkweed Beetles are regularly seen exploring the Common Milkweed plants


A Wild Bergamot bloom is the flower of choice for this Silver-spotted Skipper


Delicate Eastern Amberwing Dragonflies are a common sight in our peach and apple orchard

 
A busy Honey Bee delights in the tiny blooms of a Sumac Bush


This sightly Eight-spotted Forester Moth was seen flitting around the Common Milkweed plants all day long


Bruce observed a Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly lay this single egg on a peach leaf ~ I kept an eye on it for a few days ~ Sadly, during a recent visit, I noticed it was gone


Had the pretty green egg survived, it would metamorphosized into a lovely Spicebush Swallowtail like this

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41 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlAugust 22, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    wow, these are beautiful shots! one right after the other! i have to say, that fly stole the show. GORGEOUS!

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  2. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    Really nice Julie great pictures not sure which one I like more.

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  3. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    All of these are so gorgeous! I think the caterpillar is my favorite!! :)

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  4. JRandSueAugust 22, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    What a fantastic treat,outstanding photography as usual,everyone looks superb.
    John.

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  5. de schoonheid van de natuurAugust 22, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    wat een geweldige foto's
    groetjes Herman.

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  6. VictoriaAugust 22, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    These are gorgeous photos - I enjoyed poring over the stunning details of each and every one. That moth is outstanding!

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  7. ArtAugust 22, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    These photos are really beautiful, I like them all!

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  8. elaine August 22, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Wow!

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  9. JannAugust 22, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    Such beautiful shots! I esp love the monarch caterpillar one and the clearwing moth but they're all fabulous. :o) We have the red beetle in SD too, they're pretty.

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  10. PoetessWugAugust 22, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    As usual, the most beautiful photos around!! I have favorites, as usual too! :-) The hummingbird moth, the caterpillar, and the single green butterfly egg. Too bad he apparently didn't make it. But at least it'll be preserved in photo! :-)

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  11. theconstantwalkerAugust 22, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    A lovely set of images...

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  12. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    Wonderful summertime photos!

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  13. Jen SanfordAugust 22, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    WOW! These are all such amazing photos... The hummingbird moth has to be my favorite, but really they are all quite stunning!

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  14. DebbieAugust 22, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    gorgeous, gorgeous photo's!! what a great summer series!!

    trying to pick a favorite but i just can't....i love them all!!!

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  15. Kerri FarleyAugust 22, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Oh my goodness .... these are amazing! Your images are always a DELIGHT!

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  16. MaineBirderAugust 22, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    WOW, these are some awesome and beautiful captures Julie! Great post.

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  17. Larry OstbyAugust 22, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    And again Julie you have presented to us incredible images. There are no favorites. Each image is a treat to behold. Thank you for sharing.

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  18. AngieAugust 23, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    Awesome photos Julie! I admire your talent, taking such amazing pictures. Thanks so much for sharing them with us :)

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  19. Dan HuberAugust 23, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    wonderful photos Julie - love them

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  20. Dawn FineAugust 23, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Stunning!

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  21. DanAugust 23, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    The level of detail in these macro photo's is outstanding.

    I don't know how you keep generating perfection!

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  22. --August 24, 2011 at 1:54 AM

    WoW! Absolutely *stunning* as always, Julie ~ your photos are sheer perfection!!! :)

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  23. Bob BushellAugust 24, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    Beautiful, that's all I can say.

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  24. cindyzlogicAugust 25, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    Super gorgeous photography, Julie!!! Love the Swallowtails and moths :-))

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  25. forgetmenotAugust 25, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Julie, I think an audible "Oh my gosh" came out when I started looking through your photos!! There are professional photographers and then those that are one step beyond and that is where you are. These are "perfect" macro shots - your photos amaze me. What a delight to visit you! Mickie :)

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  26. Patricia/TriskettaAugust 26, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Julie: I never thought I would see the day when I'd gasp--in admiration--at a beetle. Today I did! :D Gorgeous, vibrant images!!!

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  27. Manuel LuisAugust 26, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Ola! A 2ª foto, é uma borboleta colibri, é muito parecida com os pássaros colibri. Gosto de as fotografar, pois possibilita-me aproximar até ao ponto de macro.
    Aqui em Portugal, aparecem em Agosto mas são raras e tem a cor cinzento.
    As suas fotos estão extraordinárias.Essa quinta é muito feliz com gente gira que preserva o ambiente, imagino eu.
    Abraço

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  28. Cathy RossAugust 26, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Oh Julie, I am speechless...this post blows me away! I felt my whole spirit lift up when I opened your blog. You are so incredibly talented my friend!!

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  29. Connie ArnoldAugust 27, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful photography, Julie! It takes a special talent and patience to take photos like these. These are beautiful! I especially love the butterfly ones.

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  30. UnknownAugust 27, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Great insect and butterfly pictures!

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  31. Cynthia WhiteAugust 29, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Breathtaking beauty - super job Julie!

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  32. George M.August 29, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Stunning photos, Julie! I especially love the monarch caterpillar, if I must pick a favorite :)

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  33. JohnAugust 29, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    Julie,

    Wonderful post, the quality of the Macro shots are simply outstnading. Congratulations on these. It is a pleasure to visit your blog. John

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  34. AnonymousAugust 31, 2011 at 1:30 AM

    Your photos are so beautiful: crisp and clear and colorful - every one of them. Love it!

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  35. Robin R RobinsonAugust 31, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    stunning series of images, many the same subjects I'v been having lately. I adore butterflies, moths and insects as much as birds and other wildlife. Nice work, J!

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  36. R.Theys-Troland54August 31, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    A Monarch Caterpillar, splendid photo!

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  37. GuySeptember 2, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Hi

    Your shot of the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth stopped me in my "scrolling" tracks. I am facinated by insects and these were really beautiful photos.

    Regards
    Guy

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  38. Marco LuijkenSeptember 4, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    Hello Julie,
    These are very wonderful shots!! Amazing colors of the butterflies. Picture 4 is my personal favorite. You have this very well done Julie!!
    My compliments!!

    Greetings, Marco

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  39. SLHSeptember 5, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Absolutely perfect shots! You have such great variety in every one of your posts! :)

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  40. Julie G.September 6, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    A sincere thank you for all the nice remarks. I am so delighted that these images are pleasing to others. Much appreciation and gratitude for your support and kindness.

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  41. RichqoyzFebruary 3, 2013 at 8:15 AM

    Awesome photos Julie! I admire your talent, taking such amazing pictures. Thanks so much for sharing them with us :)

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