The Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris deffinis) is a moth of the order Lepidoptera, family Sphingidae. It mimics a bumblebee in appearance. It is sometimes called a “Hummingbird Moth” due to its ability to dark quickly from flower to flower, and its ability to hover over nectar sources.
The Snowberry Clearwing is hovering from flower to flower, which are called Phlox Carolina ‘Gypsy Love’. The Phlox carolina ‘Gypsy Love’ have narrow, pointed foliage and pink flowers in early summer. The Carolina Phlox are native to the southeastern United States. They are an herbaceous perennial boasting broadly cylindrical clusters of lavender to pink or white flowers over a long season.
Ostrich Riverbanks Zoo Columbia, South Carolina Orange Day-lilyCymbidium Latigo ‘Cookesbridge Sunset’ OrchidSimpson’s grass pink and it is in the Orchid family (Orchidaceae)OrchidsOHIOAtlantic Ocean My Eldest Son and I at the Atlantic Ocean in Topsail Beach, North Carolina February 2017
Deep Pink & Middle Yellow Flowers vs. Black & White Purple & lone Yellow Flowers vs. Black & White Red & Yellow Flowers vs. Black & White Pink & Yellow Quilt Square vs. Black & White [Side Note: Quilt made by my Maternal Grandmother]
Common Name(s): Carolina Wild-petunia Wild Petunia
The Carolina Wild Petunia are extremely common in North Carolina. They are found in lawns and woodlands. This Wild Petunia was seen at Anne Springs Close Greenway along the trails at the Adventure Road Entrance. Many times, even though these flowers are beautiful, they are overlooked and sometimes considered a lawn weed. The Carolina Wild Petunia’s flowers only last a day, but they also have a long flowering period which compensates for the shorter blooming time.
Common Name(s): Cuckoo’s Pint Italian Arum Italian Lily Italian Lords and Ladies Orange Candle Flower Previously known as: Arisarum italicumItalian Arum is a herbaceous perennial and member of the Araceae family. It was originally planted as an ornamental groundcover. It is now considered invasive in some parts of the United States because it is difficult to control and spreads rapidly. All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans and wildlife. The plant can cause skin irritation and illness. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Carolina Phlox is a lovely long-flowering native with clusters of purple-pink flowers.Phlox carolina, the thickleaf phlox, is a species of flowering plant in the family Polemoniaceae.
The specific epithet carolina refers to its native habitat in the eastern United States. It grows in woodland edges and openings. Flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Catawba Woven Basket Disc Golf MarkerIpomoea pandurata Wild Potato Vine Shot on Canon EOS Rebel T3iCampsis radicans American Trumpet Vine Coleman on his New 2-Wheel Bicycle
These flowers are really small herbaceous perennial. They have grass-like evergreen foliage and lilac-purple flowers which produce single-seeded berries on a spike in the fall.
‘Prairie Sun’ Black-eyed SusanRudbeckia hirtaRudbeckia hirta is a variable species that provides a splash of color in the summer garden with its brightly-colored yellow and gold blooms.
Sunflowers follow the sun… But did you know
When it is cloudy and gray, they face each other and share their ENERGY. Imagine if PEOPLE would do this too.
Ipomoea pandurata (eep-oh-MEE-uh pand-yoor-RAY-tuh, shaped like a fiddle) is native to Florida and the eastern half of North America. It has a large root that can be eaten if cubed and boiled in at least two changes of water. Never eat it raw.
These are also known as Indian Potato, Man-of-the-Earth, Manroot, Morning Glory, Wild Potato Vine, Wild Sweet potato, Wild Sweet potato Vine.
Dale of The Cosmic Photo Challenge prompt is Freestyle this week.
Since this is freestyle week I decided to let you visit with me on one of the hikes Coleman and I took this past week. This hike was a little bit different in that we had my daughter, Coleman’s mom, along with us. On Tuesday we needed to be out of the home for awhile because a pest control company was going to come in and spray per the Complex management.
Therefore, we decided to go hiking in one of Coleman’s favorite places. The place we chose was Anne Springs Close Greenway about twenty minutes or so from our residence. Mind you now my daughter is not fond of hiking at all. When we arrived, we should them my membership card and proceeded to park. We thought Trisha, my daughter, was just gonna sit and relax near the canteen while Coleman and I hiked. It didn’t exactly go like we had thought. You see, Trisha brought her dog along with on our adventure ( he had to be out of the home as well).
Lake Haigler
Chewbacca, Trisha’s dog, decided he wanted to hike with us, therefore she had to tag along. We walked down to the lake and proceeded along the trail, Lake Haigler Loop, around the lake.
Haigler Loop
Coleman loves to run along the trail. I prefer a slower pace since I normally take many photos along the trail of the various sites we see. Often we observe different angles around the lake, seeing flowers, butterflies, sometimes turtles, bees, and even dragonflies.
Brazilian Vervain (Verbena brasiliensis)
At other times we see amazing reflections in the water.
Reflections in Lake Haigler
I love seeing various creatures feasting on the nectar of wildflowers her at the Greenway.
Black Swallowtail, Eastern Bumblebee, and Delta Flower Scarab Beetle feasting on Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis.
Further down the trail as we hike around the lake I notice what appears to be a shape of a triangle formed with the reflections in the lake.
Triangle formation from the water reflections. Surrounding Tree Reflections plus water shimmering
As we keep going I slow down observing butterflies flittering to and fro. Naturally I stop to snap a photograph. Meanwhile, my daughter’s trying to convince me to stop taking pictures. Guess what? She didn’t convince me, not one single solitary moment.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Pearl Crescent Butterfly
Next on our hike we come across a dragonfly and several turtles along the edge of the lake.
Widow Skimmer Dragonfly Turtles sunbathing on a log
By this time my daughter is tired and wants to get this hike over with. Naturally, Coleman and Chewbacca want to keep going. They’re enjoying the outdoors adventure. Hence, we keep chugging along.
Water Reflections Water Ripples
After awhile we decide to pull up a seat and relax a bit before finishing our hike. But first there’s more to observe as we near the picnic tables along the backside of the lake.
Trisha, Chewbacca, with Coleman leading the way. [He knows the trails better than most adults]. Ngaro Wīwi Priocnemis monachus delighting on Angelica genuflexa
Finally to a spot to snack relax near the water’s edge.
I hope you enjoyed trekking along with us on our hike around Lake Haigler. God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all.
Two Buds of Rhododendron indicum is an Azalea Rhododendron species. Allium stellatum, AKA: the autumn onion, prairie onion, cliff onion, or glade onion, is a North American species of wild onion in the Amaryllidaceae family.American Bison times TwoTwo Hands up from Big Dipper
The best time of the year to photograph water lilies or spider lilies in the Carolinas is mid-May through early June. That is when they are at their peak and estimated in 100% full peak of magnificence. These Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies were shot at Landsford Canal State Park. The Landsford Canal State Park is the home of the world’s largest population of Rocky Shoals Lilies. They bloom annually on the shoals along the Catawba River. You can get a closer look at the Spider Lilies if you access the river via a canoe or kayak. There is a 1.5-mile roundtrip Canal Trail you can hike which will take you to an overlook where you can get a panoramic view of the botanical white wonder of the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. Landsford Canal State Park is located in Catawba, Chester County, South Carolina.
Italian Arum Botanical name: Arum italicum Other name(s): Italian or Large Cuckoo Pint, Italian Lords-and-Ladies Family: Araceae Edible: no, all plant parts are toxic.In early summer, white spathes of flowers are followed by spikes of bright orange red berries. Noteworthy Characteristics: Note that the berries may cause severe discomfort or illness if ingested. Contact with sap may irritate skin.
After a week of solid rainfall Coleman and I were itching to get outside to roam around in nature. It was decided on Friday that we should be adventurous, after errands were completed. Our errands took us down to Lancaster which is an hour and a half away from our current home. Coleman was being extremely patient, he deserved a break on the way make home. Therefore, to relieve his itch to run around, we stopped at one of his favorite places.
What is that favorite place, you ask? It is the expansive Anne Springs Close Greenway. It was an extremely hot 🥵 and humid summer day. We walked around along the trails, across the swinging bridge, and up to the Wildflower Meadow to observe which flowers were thriving.
Rudbeckia hirta L. AKA: Black-eyed Susan, Common Black-eyed Susan, Brown-eyed Susan, Blackeyed Susan Asteraceae (Aster Family)
These coneflowers are common in the Mountains and the western Piedmont of the Carolinas. They are abundantly growing throughout the Greenway’s grounds.
We took a short break for a bite to eat at the Greenway’s Canteen. Enjoying the cool air was nice, but Coleman was itching for a different kind of relief from the hot 🥵 sunny summer weather. What kind of relief do you think he was desiring?
He was itching to get relief splashing in the water at the Greenway’s Spillway. The Spillway was low, however, it still produced enough water flowing across for many to cool 😎 off and enjoy a splashing 💦 wonderfully amazing good time. Coleman delighted in sloshing and splashing through the Spillway’s water 💦.
Pale Purple ConeflowerPreviously known as: Brauneria pallida Echinacea pallida f. albida Rudbeckia pallidaThe Pale Purple Coneflower is a herbaceous perennial of the genus Echinacea.
These coneflowers are native to North America, and there are nine known species of Echinacea. Echinos is Greek for “hedgehog” or “sea urchin” which is reflective of the plants spiny center cone. Pallida is Latin and translated means “pale.” This is in reference to their petal color which is a pale pink-purple.
Interesting Medicinal Information:
Echinacea was first used by Native Americans for treatment of insect stings and bites as well as snake bites. Currently, Echinacea is used to prevent colds, flu, and other respiratory tract infections. It has also been proven to boost the immune system and treat urinary tract infections. Echinacea preparations can also be topically applied for wounds or skin problems. The roots and whole plant possess a cortisone-like antibacterial property.
Lagerstroemia indicathe crape myrtle (also crepe myrtle, crêpe myrtle, or crepeflower)It is a species of flowering plant in the genus Lagerstroemia of the family Lythraceae. It is an often multi-stemmed, deciduous tree with a wide spreading, flat topped, rounded, or even spike shaped open habit. The tree is a popular nesting shrub for songbirds and wrens.
Gaillardia pulchella AKA: firewheel, Indian blanket, Indian blanketflower, or sundance It is a North American species of short-lived perennial or annual flowering plants in the sunflower family.The common name, Indian Blanket, may refer to the resemblance of the inflorescence to the brightly patterned blankets made by Native Americans, or to the ability of wild taxa to blanket the ground with colonies.
My grandson and I spotted these spectacular flowers near the entrance to the Nature Trail at The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium located in Gastonia, North Carolina when we went there to go hiking this past week.
Helianthus schweinitziiCommon Name: Schweinitz’s sunflowerIt is a member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae).
The Helianthus schweinitzii is a perennial wildflower endemic to the Piedmont physiographic province of North Carolina and South Carolina. It is one of the rarest species of sunflower in the United States. It is common along utility and highway rights-of-way in North Carolina and South Carolina. These particular Schweinitz’s sunflower are located along the Lake Trail at Crowders Mountain State Park.
Slender Vervain is a perennial that spreads by rhizomes and is native to South America. Is an annual north of zone 7 but needs winter protection in that zone. It has naturalized from southeastern North Carolina to Florida and is very tolerant of heat and drought.
These Verbena rigida are in the garden in front of The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Gastonia, North Carolina.
Petunia axillaris, the large white petunia, AKA: wild white petunia or white moon petunia, is an annual herbaceous plant in the family Solanaceae, genus Petunia.
Rubus idaeus ‘Caroline’ (Everbearing Raspberry) is a fall-fruit big cultivar producing high yields of large, highly flavored, red raspberries which are perfect for eating or preserves.
Raspberry plants can fruit on different types of canes, and these are categorized into primocane and floricane. Both primocane (first year) fruiting and floricane (second year) fruiting raspberries have both primocanes and floricanes growing from the plant after the first year.
Primocane fruiting raspberries, commonly called Everbearing raspberries, produce flowers and fruit on first year canes. Primocane varieties will produce a moderate crop in June and a much larger crop from late August until frost.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 