genuine verdict

Black Swallowtail, originally uploaded by trekr.

Last one, promise.

Black Swallowtail, originally uploaded by trekr.

By now, you are probably wondering if I have anything better to do than watch butterflies. Not so much 🙂 Anyway, if you look closely, you can see the chrysalis in the background. The white spot just where the butterfly’s eye should be is actually an empty egg. Look just below the chrysalis and you can see two other eggs.

Black Swallowtail, originally uploaded by trekr.

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Black Swallowtail, originally uploaded by trekr.

Both in the same photo! There was also an Chyrsalis just off to the side and I couldn’t manage the framing. Maybe tomorrow?

Chiltepin, originally uploaded by trekr.

Thomas Jefferson received Chiltepin seeds from Samuel Brown of San Antonio, Texas in 1812. He sowed them in plot XII and the Chiltepin is still grown in the Monticello Vegetable Garden today. Brown wrote Jefferson that the peppers were “essential to my health as salt itself”. Jefferson sent some of the seeds to Bernard McMahon, a Philadelphia nurseryman who marketed the plant as an ornamental which became known as McMahon’s Texas Bird Pepper. The Chiltepin was declared the native pepper of Texas in 1997 by House Concurrent Resolution No. 82, 75th Legislature, Regular Session.

Black Swallowtail, originally uploaded by trekr.

I was able to get close to this swallowtail as he was drying out from all the rain we’ve had lately.

Candy Lily, originally uploaded by trekr.

The texture really comes through in this photo. The background plant is Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina domestica. Click on the picture and check out the original size on Flickr !

Chrysalis, originally uploaded by trekr.

Chrysalis Black Swallowtail, originally uploaded by trekr.

Gulf Fritillary Caterpillar, originally uploaded by trekr.

Unknown caterpillar, originally uploaded by trekr.

I have no idea what kind of caterpillar this is. It seemed odd to find it on the smooth bark of a crepe myrtle tree. It resembles a saddleback caterpillar, but if anyone knows what it is please leave a comment.

Black Swallowtail, originally uploaded by trekr.

The caterpillars continue to devour the fennel. The orange Y shaped tubes extended from the head are called the osmeterium. These glands emit an unpleasant odor to discourage predators.

Candy Lily, originally uploaded by trekr.

Candy Lily, originally uploaded by trekr.

Daylily, originally uploaded by trekr.

I couldn’t resist posting another Daylily. For me, they have the same fascination as the Clematis I posted so often earlier this year. A singular bloom of orange in a sea of green grass, and you can’t help but look.

I think this is a Kwonzo, a double flowered variety. Another name mentioned in the Wiki is Ditch Lily. I don’t know who named it that, but she lived next to a beautiful ditch.

Garlic, originally uploaded by trekr.

This year’s garlic crop is in and has been hung to dry. We have some legacy garlic this year from a wonderful family of gardeners that have grown the variety for over thirty years. I’m really looking forward to using it in everything!

Tomatoes, originally uploaded by trekr.

With all the rain we’ve been having, a bumper crop of tomatoes is on the way!

Herbs, originally uploaded by trekr.

Still looking for Parsley and Rosemary 🙂

Daylily, originally uploaded by trekr.

Black Swallowtail, originally uploaded by trekr.

I captured this Black Swallowtail on the Bronze Fennel last Sunday. Not the greatest capture, but it’s hard to get close to a butterfly. That’s why we had butterfly nets as kids:) She was laying her eggs.  Tonight the second generation was chomping down.

Daylily, originally uploaded by trekr.

Quickly becoming my second favorite flower. The previous owner of our home planted these lilies. They’ve bloomed every year since we moved in a decade ago. They are a pleasant surprise each Spring.

Comfrey, originally uploaded by trekr.

For whatever ails you, Comfey . A scholarly article for the curious.

Canna Tropicana, originally uploaded by trekr.

Read all about Canna

A view of the entire plant.

Cardoon, originally uploaded by trekr.

Ant on Cardoon, originally uploaded by trekr.

Another resident in the house of Cardoon …

Inch Worm on Cardoon, originally uploaded by trekr.

You’ll have to look closely for the inch worm …

Moth, originally uploaded by trekr.

The top of the wing imitates a caterpillar, misdirecting her predators

Canna Picasso, originally uploaded by trekr.

A Canna closeup …

Peaches, originally uploaded by trekr.

It won’t be long now …

Chili Tepin, originally uploaded by trekr.

The Chiltepin have already set fruit! It should be a bumper crop this year, and I’m looking forward to replenishing my stock of the best pepper on the planet !