We're well into summer now, and the greens are tinged with brown. The skippers and other small butterflies have largely disappeared from the meadow. There are a few newcomers, including some monarchs, but far too few. The milkweeds were in full bloom last week, and walking by them, you couldn't miss the sweet scent. The heat and dry weather has ravaged the blooms, however.

 I rarely encounter the monarchs. This fellow was quite wary, and really didn't let me approach. A fuzzy shot, but so far the only one I've managed this summer.

A sad looking fritillary (Great Spangled?). They are among the more common butterflies now, apart from sulphurs, in the meadow. Beside the maple bush, the main butterfly species is the wood nymph.

This cute little fellow was pumping his wings, trying to warm up in the morning sun. I believe it's a banded hairstreak.

The drama of life continues, with murder .... (robber fly and moth)

And an unknown predator  (another type of robber fly?) chowing down on a fly

There is also new life.

A cluster of teeny, tiny eggs. Whose eggs? A mystery.

There's also this - I couldn't tell if it was an egg or ?

And caterpillars

There were mysterious goings on, involving ants, a twig, and some flies that were harassing the ants. I suspect that the new growth was exuding some sap that was attracting the insects.

And, as usual, my assistant Kara was always ready for fun!