It's high summer in
Central New York
July 24, 2006
The purple coneflowers are attracting all kinds of insects.
The first one we noticed was the swallowtail.
I think it's an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
It's a little beat up, though.

Swallowtail butterfly on purple coneflower

Look at how long the proboscis is, as it bends it to reach into the flower.
Swallowtail butterfly on purple coneflower

Monarch butterflies are all over the place, but they are more skittery than the swallowtail.
Monarch butterfly on purple coneflower

Swallowtails and monarchs are not the only insects that like the coneflower.
This is a Virginia Ctenuchid Moth.
Virginia Ctenuchid Moth on purple coneflower
The wings are dull brown, but the body is an amazing iridescent blue.
.
Virginia Ctenuchid Moth on purple coneflower
This little green bug is also iridescent.
And isn't this the cutest little bug.  It likes the zinnia!
bee like insect on zinnia

I hadn't noticed this butterfly until today.

I think this is a Meadow Frittilary

or is it a

Silver-Bordered Fritillary?
fritillary

fritilary

The bottom side has white spots, but the spots on top are black.
  


Bumblebees like the coneflower, too.
Bumblebee on purple coneflower

And they also like the centaurea.
If you look closely, you can see another beetle-type critter, too.
bumblebee on centaurea


Ah, but if you were wondering how Japanese Beetles do it, here's a picture for you.

Japanese Beetles mating.  Oh, my.

Enjoy the summer!


Do you know how to tell the difference between a moth and a butterfly?
Usually, the butterfly antenna is a stick with a ball on the end.
Moth antennae look more like a fish skeleton or a feather.  Check out the pictures.
Now you know.

It is entirely possible that I have made mistakes on this page.
If you have any comments, corrections or suggestions, please let me know.

e-mail us here.

Here's a link to the grandkids' pages.


This has been a spring and summer of getting around. 2005

You can see those pictures:
We're off to Maine for a week of pictures and lobster!  Day 5
The New York State Fair - lots of chickens and other animals.
A search for Rexford Falls and finding the Sherburne Historic District.
Antique Firetrucks in Liverpool.
Balloons at the Spiedie Fest.
A trip to Utica to see Munson-Williams-Proctor Museum and Fountain Elms
We rented a canoe at Nathaniel Cole Park.

A visit to Hanford Mills and the Lumberjack Show
Hancock Shaker Village.
A trip to Pixley Falls and Delta Lake.
We watched them set up the Big Top at the Circus
We went to the Utica Zoo
Then we went to the Syracuse Zoo
Wickwire House in Cortland
A trip to babysit the grandkids
A visit to Boston to see a Red Sox Game
Drive through Edmeston area to see the animals
Ithaca Herbert F. Johnson museum trip
Skaneateles
And there are lots of pictures of our trip out west.

2006
2006
 travel to Texas
Texas Day 1 San Antonio to Pearsall
Texas Day 2 Pearsall to Laredo
Texas Day 3 Laredo to Brownsville
Texas Day 4 South Padre Island

Texas Signs amused us
More signs.

Art Museum at Vassar



Hot adventures
from other summers:

Chittenango Falls
Fort Stanwix
Carousels
Home

Other interests: 

Retirement
 

Leslie designed a webpage for:
Stride of Central New York




 Critters
Animals hummingbirds  2
robin baby

Gray Fox

Insects  - moth pictures - polyphemus

luna 
Hummingbird Moth  1  2
Butterflies, etc.
Seasons 
Winter 
Spring
Summer
Fall
Storm

October Snow
Oxford 
Oxford House
Tree Disaster
In Autumn    Before/After Exterior

Cazenovia
Stone Quarry Hill Art Park  2



  Send comments, please.  We love to hear from folks.

Published 7/24/06
Photos by Leslie