A big and fat swallowtail cat on one of my fennel plants. I have six fennel pots and some planted in my butterfly garden.

Flower Bed, Front Yard

If you are thinking of designing a flower bed you may want to consider perennials that attract butterflies. My front bed includes bee balm, fennel, day lilies, cone flowers, butterfly bush and honeysuckle. The previous owner had only periwinkles--a nice little flower that likes hot sun. But this way, I don't have to replant anything--all these plants pop up each spring.

This June bug got caught in a spider's web and was in the process of being subdued when I took the shot.

The swallows finally left the nest and stay out all day. They return in the evening and sit on the chimes before climbing back into their nest for the night.

Baby swallows and sunflower

The baby swallows a week later--just about ready to fly. below, one of the many sunflowers that have blossomed in my yard this week

Baby Purple Martins

Baby swallows under our porch are growing fast. There are at least four in this nest.

The trumpet vine, honeysuckle, and various other climbing plants have overtaken the fences of my dog runs. They not only provide shade, but birds hang out in the greenery and hummingbirds, bees and butterflies also flit around the blossoms all day.