Just found you. Did you need to cage the trees to protect them from the deer browse? I’m going to do more reading about them. We actually see many giant swallowtails on our farm. Thank you. 🙏
Thanks. Us too. I’m going to do more serious looking for this tree on our 15 acres. There must be one or more somewhere, at least nearby, as the giant swallowtails are seen regularly on our farm.
I enjoy your words and pictures more than words can say. Your deep dive and continuity are in and of themselves inspiring, let alone the critters you capture with your heart and lens. it's just terrific. I appreciate learning about the big swallowtail this way; makes me feel I'm in an exotic landscape even if I'm in Iowa!
I'm sure that Gloria in her mad drive to have everything native would love to have some of these Ash seeds when you have them from your trees. We might even plant them along the Fairfield loop trail that runs behind our home.
What a cool idea! I will of course be watching for the trees to bloom and make seeds. Could take a few years. Last year I planted the remaining seeds I'd been sent in 2019, and only two germinated. That gives me a first estimate of how long the seeds remain viable.
Finally looked up Wafer Ash ( Ptelea trifoliata) and learned it is also called Hoptree, which is the name I learned from the Forester at Shimek Forest and "Forest and Shade Trees of Iowa." There are some in Shimek Forest. Very helpful article.
There do seem to be Prickly Ash around now, which also is a host for this butterfly, but I haven't seen any Wafer Ashes besides the ones I've planted. Thanks for commenting
You did your magic on the Swallowtail photos (btw, ever wonder who makes these names up?)! And what intriguing info re their life-cycles, habitats, particular habits and needs! Just wonderful.
Thank you for lighting up my life with such brilliant observations and sharings!!
Thank you Sue. Seems that butterflies with two separated, trailing parts of the hind wing got labeled as swallowtails after barn swallows, which have long tails separated into two ends. Not a perfect analogy, I'll agree. And thanks for commenting!
Beautiful pics! I love all of nature, especially the birds, butterflies, and deer in central Texas. I wish I could recognize and name the birds and butterflies which live around me. We have lived near San Antonio for 11 years. In that time we have planted about 30 trees, lots of shrubs, and flowers on our 2.5 acres for all our nature visitors.
Besides your artistry with the camera, your wonderful descriptive prose and knowledge of the nature world, I'm most impressed by your dedication to the creation of native habitat and biodiversity. I have admired your seedlings projects and caretaking of young plants and attention to their survival when and where you plant them. That is all a life work. Bless you!
this is another very well written essay with very beautfup photography
Thank you, Diane! Cece Miles Riddell
Thank you Cece. For reading AND for commenting. You are kind.
And just like that, my husband says “look at this!” while seeing a giant swallowtail on the ironweed just outside of our window. 💛🖤💜
Now that is cool.
And thanks for commenting.
Just found you. Did you need to cage the trees to protect them from the deer browse? I’m going to do more reading about them. We actually see many giant swallowtails on our farm. Thank you. 🙏
I did cage my Wafer Ash trees. The deer eat every single thing that isn't caged. That is if the rabbits don't get it first.
Thanks. Us too. I’m going to do more serious looking for this tree on our 15 acres. There must be one or more somewhere, at least nearby, as the giant swallowtails are seen regularly on our farm.
Found a source for the Wafer Ash tree seeds on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/238166190
I ordered some. I'll let you know how that works out.
Good luck with them. He who plants a tree makes a gift to the future.
I enjoy your words and pictures more than words can say. Your deep dive and continuity are in and of themselves inspiring, let alone the critters you capture with your heart and lens. it's just terrific. I appreciate learning about the big swallowtail this way; makes me feel I'm in an exotic landscape even if I'm in Iowa!
Thank you Wendy. I love your life art too!
I want to do that too!
Wow, what a lovely being to have gracing your property soon, we hope!
Thanks Gloria. It really is an amazing butterfly.
What a wonderful serendipitous encounter! I would be happy to plant some Wafer Ash trees in our woods.
Wouldn't it be great to have these butterflies all over our gardens?
You might even have some already. Or the other citrus we have here, which is Prickly Ash.
I enjoy reading each and every educational post of yours! Thank you, dear.
Thank you Patty, for reading and for commenting.
I'm sure that Gloria in her mad drive to have everything native would love to have some of these Ash seeds when you have them from your trees. We might even plant them along the Fairfield loop trail that runs behind our home.
What a cool idea! I will of course be watching for the trees to bloom and make seeds. Could take a few years. Last year I planted the remaining seeds I'd been sent in 2019, and only two germinated. That gives me a first estimate of how long the seeds remain viable.
Finally looked up Wafer Ash ( Ptelea trifoliata) and learned it is also called Hoptree, which is the name I learned from the Forester at Shimek Forest and "Forest and Shade Trees of Iowa." There are some in Shimek Forest. Very helpful article.
Yes , and I think I'll go back and add that name to the post. Thanks very much.
I have been seeing more of these big beauties lately... happy to think they have wafer ash and enough nectaring plants to thrive on!
There do seem to be Prickly Ash around now, which also is a host for this butterfly, but I haven't seen any Wafer Ashes besides the ones I've planted. Thanks for commenting
Well, Diane, you are clearly
in cahoots (doncha love this word?)
with ... oh gosh... all of nature....
especially your Walk-A-Bout.
You did your magic on the Swallowtail photos (btw, ever wonder who makes these names up?)! And what intriguing info re their life-cycles, habitats, particular habits and needs! Just wonderful.
Thank you for lighting up my life with such brilliant observations and sharings!!
Sue
Thank you Sue. Seems that butterflies with two separated, trailing parts of the hind wing got labeled as swallowtails after barn swallows, which have long tails separated into two ends. Not a perfect analogy, I'll agree. And thanks for commenting!
Beautiful pics! I love all of nature, especially the birds, butterflies, and deer in central Texas. I wish I could recognize and name the birds and butterflies which live around me. We have lived near San Antonio for 11 years. In that time we have planted about 30 trees, lots of shrubs, and flowers on our 2.5 acres for all our nature visitors.
Names are good, but planting habitat is even better. Good for you! I'll bet your place is wonderful to walk through. And thanks for commenting.
Besides your artistry with the camera, your wonderful descriptive prose and knowledge of the nature world, I'm most impressed by your dedication to the creation of native habitat and biodiversity. I have admired your seedlings projects and caretaking of young plants and attention to their survival when and where you plant them. That is all a life work. Bless you!
Thank you Mplea! (Is this my musician friend?) The native plants do seem to occupy a bigger and bigger acreage in my soul.
Wonderful photos! I so admire your camera work, Diane! We have several swallowtails here in Central TX--saw a pipevine earlier this month.
Thank you Susan. My friends who visit Texas regularly for birding tell me it is Destination Go-there-now for butterflies.
Lovely photos of this magnificent butterfly. Every spring I look for them but most years they show up after I have already left IA.
I wish I could see them more often. Hence the Wafer Ash project. Thanks Helen!