Some Summer Color to Enjoy!

First I thought I'd share some of our new friends in the garden.

From 2009 08 11 BlackSwallowtailCaterpillars

From 2009 08 11 BlackSwallowtailCaterpillars

From 2009 08 11 BlackSwallowtailCaterpillars

Go ahead...say it....

[Blog reader gets up from computer and does a heebie-jeebie dance] "EEEEEWWWWWW!!!!! Stop! Make it go awayyyyyyyyyy!"

For my friends from Florida, not sure how many of you gals realized that I had quite the butterfly garden going in my backyard.

I had planted dill in my herb garden here, not for caterpillar food, but for people food. Dave and I enjoy lemon-dill seasoned fish throughout the summer (although I haven't made it quite yet this summer). And now that the caterpillars have attacked my dill, not sure whether we're going to have much dill left by the end of the week.

These are black swallowtail caterpillars, and I currently have about 20 of them, in various stages of their lives, munching away at my carrot tops, parsley and dill. I don't mind...butterflies are a good thing, and you have to start with very hungry caterpillars to get more butterflies.

The boys are fascinated by this, and every day they've been checking on their progress. It'll be interesting to see if the caterpillars form their chrysalises nearby. I propped some sticks up at the base of the dill/parsley/carrot plants.

And now for something completely different. I thought you might enjoy this slideshow of my summer flowers. I've never had prettier flowers, but I have to admit things are getting a bit sloppy in the front yard. I ought to trim things back, but the goldfinches are having a blast with those sunflowers and I'd have to cut it all down before they've eaten their fill. Enjoy!