Hummingbirds and Butterflies

When I checked my butterfly bushes today at noon time, I was shocked to see Painted Ladies all over it!  At one point, there were 5 Painted Ladies, a Monarch and a ruby-throated hummingbird!  At another time, 12 Painted Ladies and a Monarch flocked the bush simultaneously.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds average about 52 wing beats per second.  

This one decided that was too much work.  Sitting next to the nectar is much easier, but is it as safe?

I stopped at some butterfly bushes in Southboro, MA and found similar nectaring activity there.  It made for a beautiful lunch break!

Fiery Skipper

Fiery Skipper (open wings)

 Monarch

 Painted Lady

 Cabbage White (with a few pieces missing from its wings)

One last Painted Lady