Insect Identification

I've been seeing these at our butterfly bushes for the past few years.  Have you seen them, too?  Do you know what they are?

Butterfly Garden, pt. 2

Remember when I posted previously about the butterfly garden going in at the elementary school?  Well, it's been started.  Take a look at the early stages:

I need to get down there and take some more current pictures, too, but I bet it's going to be beautiful!

Remember -- if you'd like to help or donate, contact Debbie Windoloski at Gardenscapes!

Pollinator Insect ID

Have you ever seen this before?  It's been buzzing around my butterfly bush for the better part of the summer.  Fuzzy pollinator, like a bee, but so large and shaped differently than most bees I've seen.  Can you help identify it?  (Sorry the picture isn't super clear.)

A Butterfly in the Bush

This is the butterfly that visited my butterfly bush today.  Isn't it a beauty?  (Click on the picture to expand the view.)

 

(Photo taken through the window.)

Name That Bug: Stripes

Check out those stripes!  This attractive fellow was on our screen door the other day.  Do you know what he is?