THis morning near the West River a Monarch butterfly nectared on Joe Pye Weed while I took its picture.
Closed Gentians are in flower. The difficulties that pollinators face when trying to enter these flowers is rewarded by large amounts of very sweet nectar. Up to 40% sugar! Flowers with a white 'cross' showing at the tips of the petals are unpollinated, further enticing insects. Many are pollinated by Bumblebees.
And from the casual demeanor of the juvenile hummingbirds at my feeder I have concluded that the very territorial adult male has gone south!
John
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| Monarch butterfly on Joe Pye Weed |
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| Closed Gentian |
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