All my photos today were from Meadowlark Gardens, which as you may know is a favorite place. I loved this sunflower with the deep red center and yellow edges on the petals. The following photo is the same type of flower before opening. It reminds me vaguely of some sea creature in a rock pool.
Thank you to all who participate in this meme, and for every comment left. They are all read with great appreciation.
I am not sure what this flower is. I couldn't see anything similar online. No markers near it either or more than likely, because it was so lush and green and 'filled in', the marker was obscured. I don't make a habit of sticking my hands into spots where I am not sure what insect or reptile I may be shaking hands with. Help please?
(Added note: I owe thanks to Villrose at Wild Rose Garden, who identified this as Meadow Rue. Once I knew the name I found this page and it looks like Lavender Mist Meadow Rue - Thalictrum rochebrunianum. You can compare here if you would like to take a look. And it is deer resistant!)
Today's Flowers opens on Friday at 12.00 a.m. and closes the following Thursday at 11.55 p.m. We welcome blogging friends to add their favorite flowers during that time. If you think you would like to participate you can read more information at this link.
Today's Flowers was created by Luiz Santilli, Jr. Thank you Luiz! I am now its host.
I am also linking with the following memes as they become available, with my thanks to our hosts. Please click on their names to visit other participants.
Nick at Floral Friday Fotos
Aquariann at Flower Friday
Laura at iHeart Macro
Pamela at Garden Tuesday
I was very happy to find this Hummingbird Moth, as I have not seen one in a long time.
An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
A Pink-edged Sulphur?
I looked long and hard for this next one and the closest I came to its identity was that of an American Lady Butterfly. What do you think?
I was walking by the side of the lake and a head popped up.
It was startled and flew across to the other side of the lake.
I was on the look out for birds and this is the first one I was able to photograph. A Chipping Sparrow perhaps? I am not doing well for ID's in this post.
I was very excited to see my first sighting of a hummingbird here, and it was gone before I could get any closer. However, I was thrilled to get a quick photo.
One last shot of a Canada Goose and that's it for today.
As it is easier for me to do as many memes as I can right now, I am also including the following.
Eileen at Saturday's Critters
Misty at Camera Critters
Anni at Bird D'Pot
Stewart at Wild Bird Wednesday
All of your photos are stunning, Denise! And you are far better than I in your knowledge of the names of flowers and butterflies. The only butterfly I know for sure is the Monarch! I am better with birds, cats and dogs (breeds) than with garden things. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful nature filled post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a red sunflower and the buterflies are so beautiful as is the reflection of the heron in the water
ReplyDeleteOh MY! Your pictures are wonderful, special, and rare. So beautiful! The hummingbird moth is awesome!!! I love it. Your butterflies are gorgeous! And the lacy white flower looks like a seahorse. I have no idea about the mystery flower. I don't think I have ever seen a sunflower with that color pattern. It looks almost like a blanket flower.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos! I love the sunflowers and the butterflies. Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh Denise, what a stunning series of photos! Lots snd lots of beautys ...
ReplyDeleteIn Gernany we Fall the searched flower Herbstanemone or Japanese Anemone, i think.
Have a great weekend!
Greetings ... Frauke
Ein foto ist schöner als das andere, großartiger post !
ReplyDelete♥liche Grüße aus Deutschland
They are so beautiful. Hope to see more of them
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of birds, butterflies and flowers, Denise. I can understand why you would be pleased to get a sighting of the hummingbird and the hummingbird moth. My favourite photo is the one of the Great Blue Heron flying over the lake.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos as usual. The flowers are pretty too. Clever shots of the butterflies and birds. You did okay with ID's. I'm hopeless.
ReplyDeleteLovely to walk with you here Denise.The Hummingbird moth is beautiful - and the Canada Goose looks cool pausing in the shade.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for hosting and sharing.
Happy Weekend!
Ruby
I enjoyed your post! So beautiful. Today I visit a butterfly-garden so I hope to take some photos for today flowers :-)
ReplyDeleteI hope you find the name of that pretty blue flower. I would be happy to have that in my garden. The sunflower is unusual, I have only ever seen yellow ones.
ReplyDeleteI heart that eastern tiger swallowtail <3
ReplyDeleteHi Denise,
ReplyDeletemarvelous photos of the sunflower, the echinacea and especially the heron. Gorgeous ! Thank you for hosting Today´s flowers.
Have a great Friday.
Best regards, Synnöve
Beautifully flowers specially the red sunflower. First time seen sun flower in red colour.
ReplyDeletei think you're right on american lady. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely flowers and super butterfly images Denise.
ReplyDeletewhat a spectacular collection!
ReplyDeleteDear Denise,
ReplyDeleteas always: Your pictures are incredibly beautiful.
It is a big pleasure visiting your blog.
Thank you so much for sharin.
Best wishes - Julia
Your photos of the gardens and wildlife are so beautiful Denise. I especially love the sunflowers and the beautifully photographed blue Herron and butterflies!
ReplyDeleteWow, I haven't seen that kind of sunflower before! The unopened flower would make a beautiful brooch to wear to a dark faerie ball. I may have to convince Ogre to stop at Meadowlark on the way to Massanutten next month.
ReplyDeleteHeisann - astoning blue bird flying over the water making a reflection , great! Have a nice weekend ;:OD)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots! We don't see that kind of sunflower here, just the yellow ones.
ReplyDeleteyou out did yourself today, every single photos is gorgeous... that Hummingbird moth is amazing. have never seen one... my favorite flower is the second not quite open sunflower. awesome
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of flowers and birds. I like the fancy sunflower and the Hummingbird moth too.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are GREAT, Denise. I love all of the pretty flowers (so colorful)--and that first sunflower really caught my attention... Isn't it fun to visit the gardens?
ReplyDeleteLove the butterflies also and that heron reflection. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy
Every since someone gave me a bouquet with red sunflowers, I like the red ones more than the yellow ones:) Have the same as you - too many other things going on, so am trying to catch up:):)
ReplyDeleteHi Denise, you have managed some wonderful images of so many different things, from the Sunflower with the deep red center through to the Hummingbird. For me your tops is the Hummingbird moth, what a find and what a shot. The American Lady and Swallowtail butterflies are also wonderful. This is wildlife photography, when you see them get an image even if its only a record shot, then occasionally you get the perfect shots as above. Regards John
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteThe unknown one is my favorite perennial: Meadow-rue (Thalictrum delavayi).
I love that sunflower in the first image and the way it looks before it blooms too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series of images, they are all lovely.
The bud does look like a strange creature. - Margy
ReplyDeleteI do love a pretty butterfly.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Hello Denise!:) So much beauty all in one post is lovely to see. I love the pretty flowers, and butterfly shots. We call the American Lady, a Painted Lady here, and it's one of my favourites. Your captures of the Hummingbird moth are superb,.. such a difficult moth to photograph. Enjoy your Weekend Denise.:)
ReplyDeleteHello Denise, love the pretty flowers. Cool captures of the Hummingbird moth, butterflies and the heron. Congrats on your hummingbird photo. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteI used to have dozens of these moths in my yard every summer. The caterpillar stage is the tomato hornworm. Unfortunately, spaying pesticides to eradicate the caterpillar led to a sharp reduction in the species. The purple flower looks like Japanese Anemone. I have the while and pink kinds in my garden. Had never seen a purple one. No doubt its a genetically modified version.
ReplyDeleteDenise, marvelous photos. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteExtraordinary beauty today Denise!! From the beautiful unique coloration of the sunflower to the dainty unknown lavender flower. And your birds and butterflies...very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI do have a favorite today...the Canada Goose....enjoyed its 'hidden' beauty.
Thanks for sharing this bird outing with us today at I'd Rather B Birdin' ... always a pleasure.
Absolutely packed with beauty & wonder! It was so lovely to see every photo in your post Denise!
ReplyDeleteI love your hummingbird moth! We saw one on our flowers this week but by the time I got my camera, he was gone! They are so unique! Lovely photos this week! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI have a Hummingbird Moth up, too (Snowberry Clearwing, Hemaris Diffinis.
ReplyDeleteI think yours is Hemaris thysbe. Aren't they cool?
I'm not great with flowers, though...
~
Birds AND flowers! So sharp and beautifully photographed. Your meadow rue looks different than mine. Mine is a pinker lavender, and the blossoms are kind of fuzzy. Also mine blooms in the late spring. Its leaves look almost exactly like columbine, by the way.
ReplyDeleteSorry to post so many flowers this week, but it's been a banner week for flowers!
Wow Gorgeous flowers joy to eyes and soul really
ReplyDeleteWow you made beautiful pictures of beautiful flowers! Thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Sofie
http://sofie-s-world.blogspot.be/
Hi! The Sunflower's photo is very cool. All of your photos are very beautiful and fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a super selection of photo's.
ReplyDeleteI think my favourite is the first one, just love the colours in the petals.
All the best Jan
The sunflower is my favourite picture today. I had sunflowers as my theme for my wedding last year so they are special to me. I also love your heron pictures. I took some today but I haven't blogged them yet. I will soon.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness that hummingbird moth is amazing! Love all your flowers and fauna -- it's no wonder that garden is a favorite place! Love the red sunflower ... I saw my first and only one a couple of years ago and couldn't get over it.
ReplyDeleteUpeita kuvia!
ReplyDeleteEn ole koskaan ennen nähnyt punaista auringonkukkaa, kaunis on.
Absolutely stunning photos Denise. I've never been able to get a clear photo of a hummingbird moth. Hats off to you!
ReplyDeleteLovely post! The heron flying is spectacular!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing capture of the blue heron. The butterflies and moth are stunning and your sunflower simply gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week :)
Wonderful photos, Denise! The colour of the sunflower is beautiful! Always nice to have some insect visitors in flower photos :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking part in the Floral Friday Fotos meme, I look forward to your next contribution.