butterfly house 2.5

A few more from the last Butterfly House trip. The top image which is my favorite  have  not yet been able to identify (I haven't been able to find the knowledgeable volunteer, but I'm sure there's one there.) The other 2 are owl spots and the very photogenic paper kite.

butterfly house 2

More beauties from the Faust Park Butterfly House. Top is a Paper Kite. Other than none of these guys being North American I am clueless - send help.

the mighty monarch

This monarch has claimed the garden as his kingdom (note his mexican sunflower throne in pic2). He's very territorial, but is starting to tolerate me.

monarch and admiral

I know this is supposed to be a floral blog but I have become completely enamored with butterflies. When prowling through the backyard (with a camera around my neck) it just seems silly to pass opportunities like these up. They are however all on flowers so I believe this redeems me. Top; the mighty monarch on a Mexican sunflower-Tithonia rotundiflora, actually a member of the daisy family (there's your flower info.) Middle; the rather aggressive red admiral drinking from a lantana bloom and giving me the "that's close enough boy look." Bottom; the same guy on a zinnia with some great light behind him.

Butterfly House

 Some images from a trip to the Butterfly House at Faust Park in St. Louis, Missouri. A great place though it was a bizzillion degrees with 7,000% humidity. There are lots of well kept tropical plants and from 70 to 80 species of butterflies. Top is a beautiful swallowtail that I haven't been able to identify, all that i know is that  it isn't native to Missouri (this is new territory for me, I would be glad for any help.) Second we have a Thoas Swallowtail native to Central and South America. Bottom, just so you know I'm not going completely lepidopterist on you is a hibiscus schizopetalus, a very  fitting name.

Tiger Swallowtail

Tiger Swallowtail on white yarrow from the same area as the last post. I love being at my in-laws. Several more great Hannibal wildflower pics to come.