Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
March 27, 2026
Silent Sunday: Surprise Damselfly
Category Archives: Insects
Colors From An October Walk
Zebra Longwing Butterflies are very fast flyers. I missed several before this one paused on a lantana blossom.
These bold yellow flowers always catch my eye. I sometimes call them daisies, sometimes sunflowers, and I suspect there are multiple wild and garden varieties.
These pink tinged beauties were in a more formal planted area near the check-in area at Magnolia, seen with Coleus in the background.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 8, 2025
Dragonfly on Wrought Iron
Many of the older plots at Magnolia Cemetery have wrought iron fences marking their borders.
In mid October one dragonfly made use of this one as a perch, perhaps enjoying its position in the full sun now that autumn is with us.
He flew off as I approached and changed my angle, returning to a nearby finial after each foray.
A wider view shows that time has taken its toll on parts of this fence.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
October 19, 2025
Canon 18-200mm lens, replacement, used–first time out.
Dragonfly on Pink Lily
It was something of a challenge to get a nice composition of this dragonfly while keeping my feet out of the garden bed.
Somewhat oddly, he never took flight while I was watching.
And he was the only one I saw in this 100 foot (30 meter) long garden.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 11, 2025
Yellow Swallowtail, Sampling Backyard
A Yellow Swallowtail butterfly toured my backyard with me following along as he sampled Melissa Balm, Trumpet Vine and a Coneflower.
Backyard
July 9, 2025
Common Buckeye on Fleabane
Several Common Buckeye Butterflies were visiting patches of fleabane along the dike at Donnelley WMA on Friday. This first one was looking a bit tattered.
The next one didn’t flit around quite as much, and gave me several views.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 25, 2025
Buzzing Bees
I heard them before I saw them… several Camellia bushes were abuzz with bees.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 20, 2024
Dragonflies on Fall Display
The late afternoon sun was highlighting an artful pile of pumpkins and gourds at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. A number of dragonflies were pleased to use the veggies as perches.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 12, 2024
Black and Yellow Garden Spider
This Black and Yellow Garden Spider anchored her web to a palm tree at the edge of the big pond at Magnolia Cemetery.
I walked right by it once, then a little breeze ruffled the whole web bringing it to my attention.
The spider was hanging out there on her zig-zag stabilimentum. The mosquitoes were plentiful and I was surprised there weren’t any visible in the web.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
August 18, 2024
Zebra Longwing Butterfly
After seeing very few butterflies all summer I saw a Monarch, a Skipper, a Gulf Fritillary and this Zebra Longwing Butterfly all in the same day.
I have seen a few more Zebra Longwings since I took this, but no photos. Wow are they fast!
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 11, 2024