Of course, they're right on their time schedule and not mine!I had stepped outside to get the mail...and there it was. Just where it was supposed to be hovering over the phlox.
I ran to get the camera. It flit here and there, while I followed it about from plant to plant, trying to capture one photograph.Just one!
I saw plenty of bees
and other critters. But, the lovely swallowtail flew around the front of the house and disappeared before I could focus the camera!
I had hoped that the
fully blooming summer phlox would bring the butterflies calling...That's when they arrived last year (go here for the story) and I couldn't get the photo then either.
It seems right and fitting that 
the phlox is looking its very best for the butterflies....and if you know me at all, you know I am going to be out there tomorrow to see if the swallowtails are really back and maybe I'll get that shot!
This time, I'll try sitting quietly to see if they come find me.
Gail
I can just imagine you flitting around your garden chasing butterflies. Yes, tomorrow I have no doubt more will be there and you'll get a nice picture or two of them.
ReplyDeleteCarol, May Dreams Gardens
Talk real sweet to them and I bet they'll post beautifully.;) Have fun.
ReplyDeleteI understand completely, Gail. However, they will return. After all, just look at the banquet you're providing! :-)
ReplyDeleteI told you! ;) I saw some today too and thought of you. Your phlox is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteOh the swallowtails will be back for sure. Get us a good photo, we'll be waiting.... Love the phlox.
ReplyDeleteGail girl .. right now I would love ANY butterfly that I could take a picture of .. there seems to be a shortage of them in the neighborhood ? .. did I already say how much I love Cole's picture on the sidebar ? .. and YES about the drumstick allium by TES would be awesome girl .. I ordered Purple Sensation and now wished I ordered MORE of them ? LOL
ReplyDeleteI can just see you dasing to the house for your camera. Now will be the time not to go out without it. Doesn't your heart just leap for joy to see these ephemeral creatures flitting through the garden.?! Your phlox photos are lovely. I would like to paint your beetle on the clover if you wouldn't mind.
ReplyDeleteGail! How odd! I saw our first one yesterday, but he was in the neighbors yard. He took one little sip from our yard and went right back to hers!Don't the caterpillars eat parsley? Is it too late to put some plants out?
ReplyDeleteThis ALWAYS happens to me! Just the other day a zebra swallow cleverly evaded me. I haven't seen any of the other swallowtails yet, but my camera and I will be waiting!
ReplyDeleteThe phlox looks great, the butterflies are on their way! I've seen Black swallowtails out and about down here, it's just a matter of time for your garden!
ReplyDeleteI so want to answer everyone but this thumb is still aching! LISA, Have at it! I sent you the photo! I am going to go sit outside on the Waiting Bench, camera in hand! Gail
ReplyDeleteI chased mine from the backyard into the front to get a shot, lol. Be patient, you'll find some that will pose prettily. :)
ReplyDeleteAfter they've seen your beautiful phlox, they're sure to come back--maybe they were off telling the rest of the family to come:) I've seen only a few butterflies here so far, and none of them seem the least interested in landing anywhere for long. I've chased them around the yard, but they're faster than I am!
ReplyDeleteHi Gail, I do hope they return tomorrow. Seeing one at least means there might be caterpillars soon too. Your phlox are fabulous, they are the stars right now in our garden as well. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
My phlox is blooming but no butterflies. This time last year it was covered in tiger swallowtails. I'm hoping they will come.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Do you think the wet spring we've all (many of us) had has effected the butterfly population? I am goinjg to ask the gardeners on my neighborhood listserv if they have noticed an butterfly presence! I do remember that after the middle of July I saw more butterflies and then the caterpillars arrived on the fennel! I can't wait for The Boys Of Summer to return! gail
ReplyDeleteToo funny Gail! Your phlox are lovely! I am sure they will be back multiple times and you will have tons of pictures!
ReplyDeleteThose flying little creatures are impossible to catch! But I did enjoy your lovely phlox!
ReplyDeleteI hope your patience pays off...I would love to see your pics of the beauties. Meanwhile I'll enjoy your phlox! Kim
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they're back! And I saw some butterflies today as well, I've been wondering where they had gotten to.
ReplyDeleteKatarina
Hi Gail....my, the phlox look so healthy, they will soon have those butterflies calling...
ReplyDeletePatience is the order of the day....I have a feeling you will get a photograph this year.....
Good to see the bees and ladybirds......
Oh yes Gail... I can easily picture you trying to get your picture! I have been there many times... although not with the swallow tail butterfly.
ReplyDeleteRecently it was the tails and the rest of the swallow bird that was my quest... wonderfully I succeeded second time round :-D
Fingers crossed in your quest... we'll all look forward to seeing the results :-D
Butterflies really do bring a smile don't they? :-)
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
Michelle
When you want to photograph butterflies, they're not around. When your camera's not around, butterflies are. And so it goes. At least they've returned!
ReplyDeleteThe phlox is looking lovely, even without the swallowtails, enjoy time out waiting to photograph them.
ReplyDeleteK
If I were a butterfly, I'd never leave your Phlox. Here it's the Coneflowers that draw the butterflies. I saw the first Monarch Butterfly today, as I was pulling out of the driveway, again cameraless.
ReplyDeleteSometimes those winged critters can be so misleading... they must laugh at us swooping up and down and in and out trying to get the angle ... and then just as we do... they flit away again. So fun to capture all the other little buzzing critters along the way though.
ReplyDeleteSo happy the Swallotails are back in your garden. You will be in the right place at the right time before you know... please share when you are.
Meem
My Phlox are just coming out i love them but we don't get swallow tailed butterflies in UK so I look forward to you capturing a shot.
ReplyDeleteMan, no wonder it was hard to photograph the swallowtail with your camera flitting around everywhere! ;-) I love the swallowtails, too. I haven't seen them much this year, but instead I have tons of dragonflies, which I haven't had in large numbers before. :)
ReplyDelete