Butterflies and bees

Monarch butterflies are out in Vermont 🙂 I got a few photos of a Monarch and a bee.

Monarch caterpillars eat exclusively milkweed which is very common in the fields of Vermont.

The Monarch butterfly will eat nectar from many sources. This one is on some Joe Pye weed.

Milkweed and Joe Pye weed grow readily in Vermont and are a good combo for Monarch butterfly habitat.

This common Eastern Bumblebee is resting on a purple cone flower.

Here's a good close up 🙂

Coneflowers are popular with the bees but they work their way through all the flowers. And hopefully veggie blossoms. We have lots of bumblebees not as many honey bees but also all other variety of bees and wasps. Only yellow jackets are aggressive enough to be a hassle. But honestly usually only if you accidentally disturb their nest. Since they are sometimes ground dwellers it can happen in the garden 🙁

Another close up. This one is a Calopteron reticulatum, also known as the reticulated net-winged beetle. I couldn't find a better common name 🙄 More info here They lay eggs in dead trees and the larva hunt in leaf litter. Between the dead ash trees (from the emerald ash borer) and the leafs on the forest floor (and in my yard, I don't clear them) this little bug must be in paradise.

Got this ok shot of a hummingbird clearwing moth on some bee balm. I took lots and this is the only one close to in focus 😅

These last three photos were bonus for the my hardcore followers haha not butterflies or bees but close... bugs and birds 🙂 Cardinals are a constant companion when we are in the garden. Not always this close but you can always hear their calls.