Mexican Sunflowers

(Photographs copyright 2016 by Dan Routh)

In the garden. Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Butterfly and Sunflower #3

(Photograph copyright 2016 by Dan Routh)

In the garden. Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Back at the Sunflower

(Photograph copyright 2016 by Dan Routh)

In the yard this afternoon. Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Butterfly and Sunflower

(Photograph copyright 2016 by Dan Routh)

In the garden in Grays Chapel a few moments ago.

Tiger and Apple Blossom

(Photograph copyright 2016 by Dan Routh)

Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Monarch

(Photograph copyright 2015 by Dan Routh)

Last week in Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Feeding on Thistle

(Photograph copyright 2015 by Dan Routh)

Tiger Swallowtail on thistle. Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Caterpillars and Parsley

(Photograph copyright 2015 by Dan Routh)

Black Swallowtail caterpillars feeding on parsley. Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Tiger Swallowtail

(Photograph copyright 2015 by Dan Routh)

Backyard. Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Black Swallowtail

(Photograph copyright 2014 by Dan Routh)

Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

At the Butterfly Bush

A hummingbird moth and a tiger swallowtail feast on the blooms of the butterfly bushes in our yard in Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

(Photographs copyright 2013 by Dan Routh)

At the Apple Tree

(Photograph copyright 2013 by Dan Routh)

A butterfly works the apple blossoms at my home in Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Just Beyond the Deck

(Photograph copyright 2013 by Dan Routh)

A Tiger Swallowtail works to cherry blossoms just off my deck a few moments ago.

Monarch on the Milkweed

(Photograph copyright 2012 by Dan Routh)

The view out my back door this afternoon.

Feeding on an Apple

(Photograph copyright 2012 by Dan Routh)

A Red Spotted Purple feeds on an heirloom apple in our yard in Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Feeding on Thistle

(Photograph copyright 2012 by Dan Routh)

A tiger swallowtail feeds on thistle on an August afternoon in Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

New Crop of Caterpillars

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

A black swallowtail caterpillar, one of about twenty-five or so on the parsley in our garden today. Looks like we were spared the hurricane and we'll have a new crop of butterflies.

Butterfly in the Meadow

Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh.

A butterfly feeds on wildflowers in the meadow of our farm in Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Tiger Swallowtail in March

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Things are happening a little early this year. A tiger swallowtail works the plum blossoms Friday in my yard in Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Predator and Prey

Our backyard has been alive this summer with life such as this rare fritillary butterfly. With so much abundance, however, nature evens things out as the mantis lurks in the shadows waiting for an opportunity,

(Photograph copyright 2010 by Dan Routh)