Two large grasshoppers were methodically munching on a Canna Lily. It was too hot to stay and watch them but I suspect that they didn’t stop until the bloom was gone.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 11, 2024
Canna Lily Lunch
Category Archives: Insects
Gulf Fritillary Butterfly On Lantana
A tattered Gulf Fritillary found the last tattered bloom on a Lantana. This was just a few days after Tropical Storm Debby drenched the South Carolina low-country with 15 to 20 inches ( up to 0.5 meters) of rain. Any plant with delicate blooms took a beating.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 11, 2024
Skipper Butterfly on Swamp Sunflower
A batch of swamp sunflower blooms at my eye level made a lovely perch for this Skipper.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 11, 2024
Monarch Butterfly in Flower Garden
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 11, 2024
Dragonfly and Pear
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 28, 2024
Four-spotted Pennant On Marsh Grass
Much of the edge of the big pond at Donnelley WMA is lined with marsh grasses that make nice perches for dragonflies. A few species were taking advantage between hunting forays, including these Four-spotted Pennants.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 21, 2024
Yellow Swallowtail, Dragonfly and Bee
I was concentrating on the Yellow Swallowtail butterfly circling a buttonbush, not noticing the dragonfly or the bee until looking at the photos later.
The bush was rooted down an embankment into a swampy area frequented by snakes and alligators so my angle options were limited.
The bee moved on…
The butterfly sampled all of the buttons while the dragonfly had a rest.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 20, 2024
Palamedes Swallowtail on Thistle
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 14, 2024
Dragonfly on Powdery Alligator-flag
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 3, 2024
Bee Working A Magnolia Blossom
A very busy bee checked out every part of this magnolia blossom.
He picked over the “matchsticks” that had fallen into one of the petals.
I’m not sure if he actually moved any of the flower parts…
…but he sure seemed to be trying.
Then he went to the center and knocked off a few more.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 10, 2024