Swallowtail

After a period of disappointment because there didn’t seem to be any Swallowtails visiting this year, today there were several visiting our flower garden and this one patiently posed for a few photos. They hadn’t disappeared, they were just later than usual. Usually my photos result from a trip I have made: it was nice today to have a subject come to me (and thanks to my wife for spotting it and letting me know we had a pretty little visitor).

Western Tiger Swallowtail ~ Papilio rutulus

Wildflowers of summer (10)

Northern Bedstraw ~ Galium boreale – Along Little Thompson River

Brown-eyed Susan ~ Gaillardia aristata – Along Little Thompson River

Red Clover ~ Trifolium pratense – Along Little Thompson River

Fireweed ~ Epilobium angustifolium

Ocean Spray, Creambush ~ Holodiscus discolor

Suksdorf’s Indian paintbrush ~ Castilleja suksdorfii – Near Vermilion Pass

Wildflowers of summer (9)

I have gotten far behind in posting summer wildflower finds. Perhaps I can catch up…

Prickly Sandwort ~ Eremogone aculeata – Found on Big Hole Peak

Spotted Saxifrage ~ Saxifraga bronchialis – Found on Big Hole Peak

American Vetch – Found along Big Hole Peak trail

White Bog-orchid ~ Platanthera dilatata – Found along Little Thompson River

Unidentified – Found along Little Thompson River

Unidentified -Found along Little Thompson River

Pine White

Along toward the end of summer these butterflies appear. I always look forward to them!

Pine White ~ Neophasia menapia

I knew I shouldn’t try that jump!

Unidentified

Growing at just over 6,200 feet on an open expanse of steep mountainside, these six-inch tall plants don’t exactly beg for attention, but a closer look at them reveals a little plant that I find quite attractive. I have been unable to identify it.