The last of our summer flowers are in bloom, Chrysanthemum, Fall Crocus, Asters, Rose of Sharon, Goldenrod, Autumn Joy Sedum...
Walking through the city and along nature trails, the evidence of flowers which bloomed weeks or months ago remains. While the flowers were pretty, the seeds produced after the flower died are far more important to the survival of the plant after the cold, cold winter.
The smallest Monarch caterpillar I collected in my garden at the end of August finally became a chrysalis three days ago. It can take up to two or three weeks before it ecloses into a Monarch Butterfly and I wonder at the possibilities of it surviving a trip at Mexico at this late date.
Left on its own, nature is bountiful. The seeds produced by one plant are abundant and are able to feed birds and animals with enough left over for germination next year. This has been a poor year for butterflies in our area, but I don't doubt they are able to make up for the losses in another season.
The biggest hindrance to this bounty is not weather, but human activity as we change and control the natural environment around us.
Are you able to identify the pictures above?
Answers:
sıןɐsʎɹɥɔ ɥɔɹɐuoɯ ˙4
ןǝsɐǝʇ ˙3
ןɐǝs s,uoɯoןos ǝsןɐɟ ˙2
ʇıdןnd ǝɥʇ uı ʞɔɐɾ ˙1
I won't try yo identify any but I do like each picture.The beauty of autumn is a wonderful as that of spring.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Beautiful segue into autumn!
ReplyDeleteI think the thistle looking one is some kind of teazel? I am completely clueless with the other two, the first one makes me crave tomatoes though!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos.
You know, on second thought the leaves of the second photo reminds me of something I have called Solomon's Plume. I have never seen it's fruit though but it has white flowers earlier in the year.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos for the coming of autumn. I'm glad you added the answers!
ReplyDeleteI would never have guessed the first one even though I grew up with that being a favorite plant. Really like the last plant, would make great dried arrangements. Hope your latest butterfly makes it to Mexico. I feel like I could head that way myself.
ReplyDeleteYou know I just noticed the answers were upside down at the bottom of your post, which shows how much my brain turns off alternate fonts (usually used in web ads to get your attention.) Just thought that was a funny quirk to share...
ReplyDeleteJaspenelle- I wondered if you saw the answers. But when I checked my page at a work computer yesterday, the upside down words just showed as boxes. There seemed to be no font available on the system to display the letters. Our work computers run on Windows XP but are fairly old. (A flash player is needed to create the upside down font so perhaps one is needed to read it too)
ReplyDeleteThere were so few monarchs (and other specis) around here, too. They are increasing a bit now due to migration season (will be interesting to learn what the Pelee Nature Center stats are this year). I've found myself braking when out driving (and there's no one behind me!) when a monarch flies in front of me. Every one is precious now.
ReplyDelete3/4. Not bad. The false solomon's seal stumped me.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I failed most of them. But I do enjoy the pretty autumn colours. I hope you get to see your monarch butterfly emerge.
ReplyDeleteHappy autumn!
Thanks for your comments. I named the berries with help from my wildflower guide :-)
ReplyDelete