Thistle and Bumble Bee

I've been enjoying watching the butterflies, bees, bugs of all types, gold finches, and hummingbirds hang out in the thistle this summer.  This year it came up right outside my kitchen window, in the east garden, and is currently over 12 feet tall.  Luckily some of the blossoms were down low making it easier to snap photos.  The hummingbirds had a nest in it this year so I was able to watch the mamma and pappa bird tend to their baby until it fledged earlier this week.

Bloodroot

Fungus

This just showed up in my yard under the crab apple tree it is completely encircling the tree. I believe this may be Peziza succosa but I am not sure. The fungi do not have hairs etc., on the interior in fact the centers are almost shiny.

Butterfly Garden

My mullien and milkweed are both close to six foot tall in height. I'm amazed as I transplanted them from the neighbors yard to mine this spring - right before the flooding began. I really didn't expect them, or anything else in my garden, to survive.

I've been working on expanding my butterfly garden with more natives. Currently I have milkweed - the red variety, purple coneflower, mullien, phlox, bellflower, and bee balm.

Hosta's

I think this lightening bug may be snacking on my hosta.

I'll have to check early in the am but I think I have slugs in my hosta garden, time to get some beer for the garden again.

Clematis

Not native but quite beautiful after this evenings rain!

Ferns

These live in my neighbors yard and have taken over his shade garden, still lovely though.