Friday, August 10, 2012

Zebra longwings

Good morning everyone ~

Here it is Friday already. DH and I have had some sort of bug that has made our neck muscles ache so that we could hardly turn our heads and we haven’t felt that great. I got it first, then DH. I’m feeling better than I was, he thinks his bout with it peaked last night. So, we’re on the mend.

I wanted to show off our state butterfly, the zebra longwing.  I have been enjoying them so much lately. Lots and lots of them flitting around.  Also sulphurs, Gulf Fritillaries, one or two black eastern swallowtails, little cassia blues too.

I love how the zebras slowly flit from flower to flower. They calm me down and make me feel joyful.

In these photos you’ll have to look closely to see the butterflies sometimes as they almost blend in with the flowers and the foliage of hamelia paten.

07-27-zebra

 

07-27-zebra2

 

07-27-zebra3

 

07-31-zebra

 

07-31-zebra2

 

07-31-zebra3

 

07-31-zebra4

 

07-31-zebra5

 

07-31-zebra6

 

07-31-zebra7

That’s it for now.

Have a great weekend ~ FlowerLady Lorraine

29 comments:

Lona said...

Lorraine they are such beautiful butterflies. They are really loving those blooms of yours. Have a lovely weekend.

Lynn said...

Thank you for sharing the Zebra Longwing. Glad you are both on the mend. Happy weekend.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful . . . makes me feel at home (while I sit here behind my desk). I've noticed that with everything I have planted - the firebush seems to attract the most butterflies.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lorraine, Sorry you and DH have been ill, but glad you both are on the mend.
You captured some amazing shots of the Zebras enjoying your garden flowers.
Be well and happy :)

Leslie Kimel said...

Such pretty pictures, Lorraine. The zebra longwing is so striking and you're right--it does really glide and float in such a calming and beautiful way. I hope you have a good weekend and that you're feeling completely better very soon!

tina said...

I have never even seen one of these in person. So very pretty!!

tina said...

Get well soonest!

sharon said...

be well :-)...the flutterbys as my son used to say

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Hope you and DH are feeling better. Nothing worse that a painful neck! Only see your Zebra butterflies at Phipps Conservatory in the Butterfly Garden! Nature at its best. Have a great weekend FL! xxoo Nancy

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

What a great plant and BUTTERFLIES!!! You got some good photos. I hope you and DH are both feeling better soon.

Nancy J said...

You saved the best to be last.Wonderful shots, and yes, they blend in so well. Cheers,Jean.p.s. Get well soon !!

Jean Campbell said...

Great captures, FL. We used to see them here but not in many years, yet the Gulf Frits who grow on the same host persist. I have a framed photo of a Zebra Longwing on Red Pentas by my bed. It was a gift, I wouldn't have chosen better.
Glad the worst of your illness has passed.

Unknown said...

Glad ya'll are feeling better... The Florida State Butterfly! Love it..

Susan said...

Sorry to hear you were under the weather. Your photos are spectacular! They show off both the zebra longwing and the firebush. Have a great weekend!

BernieH said...

I'm so glad to hear you're both on the mend. Those bugs can be rather nasty!

Loved your butterfly shots. It's a beautiful specimen.

Becky said...

Sorry to hear you two have been under the weather but am so glad you are starting to feel a bit better. Your butterfly photos are AMAZING!

Masha said...

Those butterflies are beautiful, and so are flowers. Thank you for the lovely pictures.

I am glad you and your husband are feeling better.

Rebecca said...

I'm always intrigued by the difference between north and south :)

Hoping the two of you are soon back to normal. (Sorry to hear you were achy.)

Kit said...

So pretty! I have a wooden replica of one in my living room. :) Kit

Annie said...

Beautiful beautiful photos

gld said...

Wonderful butterfly pictures!

Sorry you both have been under the weather but glad to hear you are mending.

The orange flowering plant is beautiful.

jerilanders said...

I hope your neck pains have come and gone by now! I've never seen this flutterby before, I mean butterfly... Say, wouldn't the former make more sense??!

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hi dear,

Hope you are on the road to recovery. It is so hard to function when you're in pain (let alone to enjoy yourself).

I love the zebra's and their slow, graceful flight. I was able to introduce my grandkids to them at our Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History outdoor living butterfly display. Fabulous.

Sending best wishes,

S

Sandra said...

First, I hope you and your hubby are better. Hurt necks are so painful.

Second, I LOVE that butterfly, oh my word and you got amazing shots :)

Hope you're having a good week,
Sandra

Friko said...

Both butterfly and shrub are unknown to me. Both are very beautiful.

PS: I saw your comment on One Woman's Journey and wondered who it is who calls herself 'FlowerLady'

sweetbay said...

Hope both of you are feeling better! Being sick in summer is even worse than in winter.

Both the butterflies and the Hamelia are beautiful! You asked about the plant in my post (I didn't realize I'd published anything yet, thus no text lol), yes that is Joe Pye. According to the USDA maps there are at least a couple of species that grow throughout Florida: Tall Joe Pye Weed and Sweet-Scented Joe Pye Weed. If you're interested I can send you some seed from mine. Just drop me an email with your address. The seed should be ready by October.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Beautiful
I have never seen them before.
Please
stay well...

Cassundry said...

Those are beautiful pictures of you plant and butterfly. Thank you for sharing.

Floridagirl said...

My favorite butterfly! We've had the zebras in droves the past couple weeks as well.