Mums are blooming

The chrysanthemums are filled with buds, and several clumps are already in bloom. Even though dozens of annuals and some perennials are still blooming profusely in my yard, the mums and asters and falling poplar leaves make it feel as if fall is here.
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First day of Fall

It was humid and 91 degrees here today, so it sure didn’t feel like it — but, it’s here. Happy Fall! :)

Pink and striped hummingbird moth

I saw a pink and striped hummingbird moth late this evening. This one was much larger than the green and reddish colored ones I saw in the yard for several evenings last month. The picture to the left is kind of blurred, but you can still see the pink color and the stripes on the body and wings. This one was very friendly, and flew and hovered all around me, even almost touching my hand a couple of times. I had on a dark pink tshirt and it seemed to be attracted to that color. I’m definitely going to plant these pink penta flowers again next year– they attract hummingbirds, tons of butterflies and honeybees, and now hummingbird moths! It was almost dark so I didn’t get a chance to take more than these two photos, and I had to use a flash to get these. Both photos are clickable for larger versions.

Yet more butterflies

The butterflies are here all day every day now. There are literally dozens and dozens of them… a few monarchs and many swallowtails, and orange and brown fritillaries. They especially love the penta flowers, the zinnias, the orange and pink lantana flowers, all colors of the dianthus, the pink and white coneflowers, and the white butterfly bush. Click any photo to enlarge.

Related posts: Monarch Butterfly - More butterflies today
Butterflies - In the garden this weekend, and visitors
Hummingbird Moths - Butterfly Sky

Gazania flower and honeybee

Honeybees were all over the flowers today. I’ve posted photos of these gazania flowers before, but they’re just so pretty, I can’t help but continue taking photographs of them. They’re also called “treasure flowers”, they bloom in so many different colors and patterns, and they resemble large daisies. The flowers on these 8-inch tall plants close at night and on cloudy or rainy days. They like hot, dry areas and full sun, and they are thriving here this year. I have about a dozen of these small plants, and plan on having even more of them next summer. Click photo for slightly larger version.

Molly

Here’s a photo of Molly, one of the new kittens from the most recent “stray” that came here. She’s now about 5 and a half months old. She still won’t let me too close, but she’s not as feral as she was. She’s a gorgeous cat.

This photo was taken in my front yard late this evening.

 

Related posts:
Stray Cats
Bonnie
Bonnie & Molly get spayed