August, into early September always seems to be when we get the most butterflies in the garden. For the Monarchs, this makes sense – they are either laying the last generation that will wing its way back to Mexico…or they are that generation.

I went out the other afternoon and counted at least seven monarchs on the White Profusion butterfly bush alone. I’m not sure why, but of all my Butterfly bushes, that one is the most popular.

And while I haven’t found a chrysalis this year…

I may still get a chance because there are still several of these guys out munching away on the milkweed.

And speaking of munching… I’ve been terribly sad that I have not seen and Black Eastern Swallowtails this year. Not the butterflies, not even the caterpillars on my carrots or parsley (the parsley I plant specifically for them!)

But then I went out the other day and…

I found these guys on the dill! These are both Black Swallowtail caterpillars – just at different stages. I didn’t even think of the Swallowtails when I planted the dill. I was trying to attract beneficial wasps! But hey – I’ll take caterpllars too!

Now… back to butterflies

These common checkered Skippers are very abundant right now. Their caterpillars eat things in the Mallow family, like hollyhocks, Hibiscus and Rose of Sharon.

The Red Spotted Purples have been very plentiful this year.

But it’s not just butterflies… we have lots of moths too!

These Chickweed Geometre moths are a pretty regular sight around here. And you wouldn’t think they are too much to look at

Until you get a close-up look at those fabulous feathery antennae!

This next one was bigger and flashier…

It’s an Ilia Underwing moth. Their host plants are oaks.

And last… not a moth or a butterfly, but one of our favourite winged visitors.

The Hummingbirds have been quite plentiful this summer, often buzzing my head when I’m out in the garden. This is the first one I managed to catch on camera. Mostly because I just haven’t been out there enough with the camera.

They are loading up on nectar, preparing for their long journey south. Summer is quickly coming to an end.