Insect Magnet

I was going to post about the part of the side yard that is to the east of the back yard for Camera Critters, hosted by Misty Dawn, but when I went outside to see if there were more critters to take photos of, I saw so many on a couple plants, that I decided to do the east bed in a different post.

I think the purple flowers in the back of this bed, on either side of the sidewalk are English Asters.  The birds must have planted them in a different area of the yard a number of years ago, from seeds of a neighbor's plants.  I moved these to here around 8 years ago.

Even though I tied the stems together, the plants have flopped over.  (Added 10/9:  I forgot to mention I also cut them back a couple or three times during the season, too.)

For the past few years, the stems have been turning brown, which I'm thinking is a disease I read about awhile back.  I was planning on digging the plants up this spring, but Larry wanted me to keep them there because he likes them.  So, I dug out over half of each clump, hoping the plants would stay healthy.  This is the clump on the west side of the sidewalk.  The stems aren't as brown as in the past, but they are not very healthy looking.

Can you see monarch on the clump on the east side?  (Actually, there was another on the west clump while I was taking photos, but it didn't make the post.)

I am currently undecided about the fate of these two asters.  There were bees, flies, at least 8 skippers and a number of other insects enjoying the nectar.  Maybe it's worth the problems to be able to host so many insects, which share so nicely with each other.

I'm not sure how many kinds of skippers we have here.

I haven't seen as many painted ladies this summer, but am glad there are some here.  (Added 10/9- Randy told me this is an American Lady.  I went back and checked a couple recent posts, and saw that they were Painted Ladies, so that means we have both in our area.  Cool!  American Ladies have 2 large eye spots on the outside wings.  Painted Ladies have 4 small eye spots.)

The bees didn't seem to mind me getting close.  It looks like I left out the photo of the larger bee.

The above photos were all taken Friday.  The next couple were taken a few days ago.

I hadn't seen any rabbits for awhile, but here one has been eating kale or something in the veggie garden.  I just told Larry I want us to put the rabbit fencing that I got at garage sales this summer up before spring gets here.  I am determined to keep the rabbits out next spring.  I'll have to plant some lettuce for them across the street in hopes they don't eat the flowers as much as they did this year.

I'm still seeing the squirrels around.  This one was scolding me for being in "its yard".

The doves are continuing to spend lots of time on the wires, and I've seen a lot flocks of birds flying overhead.

Have a great weekend!