Wednesday, August 18

Cucumbers, Mint, Queen Anne, and a Monarch

...Sounds like a visit at the palace, huh? I took a drive Monday, after a ten day break...it was nice to get out again, even tho tourist season isn't over yet...but at least Bike Week is...I drove up County Rd 234 along Box Elder Creek, to Nemo Rd. and then Vanocker Canyon, one of my common routes...

The wild cucumber blossoms are abundant along Box Elder Creek...

The cucumber pod can be found on the vines below the blossoms...

Another one of the 11 mints that grow in the Black Hills, the field mint...

The Nuttall's sunflower, easily distinguished by the lance-shaped leaves, which the Maximillian sunflower also has but the Nuttall's rays are larger and the flowers grow in smaller groups.

Queen Anne's lace has gone to seed, but is a pretty color...

A cliff swallow couple was taking turns bringing food to their babes on a rock face along the creek...

A monarch nectaring upside down on spotted joe pye-weed...I gave up waiting for an upright, open-winged photo...

A silver-spotted skipper on creeping bellflower...the skipper was ignoring me, only a few inches away...

An Edwards' fritillary I believe...more cooperative than the monarch...

The marsh aster is one of several late-blooming asters, found near streams...

Some frilly 'shrooms growing on the side of a tree, near Elk Creek in Vanocker Canyon.
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4 comments:

  1. PhilAugust 18, 2010 at 10:33 AM

    Some great shots there Jann. The Monarch is absolutely stunning. We get Silver spotted Skippers but i've never seen one. Is the wild cucumber edible?

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  2. FABAugust 18, 2010 at 4:55 PM

    Whow Jann that cucumber pod is pretty spiky! A Monarch in any position is gorgeous. I recognise the Silver-spotted Skipper but I've only ever managed one shot with the wings open. FAB.

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  3. Wanda.....August 19, 2010 at 6:21 PM

    I enjoyed your photos, Jann, they were all so bright and summery. That cucumber pod was like a burst of sunshine! The blog is looking exceptionally good!

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  4. RoanAugust 21, 2010 at 5:02 PM

    Love the butterflies. I've been trying to identify the Silver Spotted Skipper. Thanks for that! We have a ton of them out on our butterfly bush. I've been chasing a Monarch most of the summer and still can't get a good shot. They are NOT cooperative.

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