The Flowers Keep Blooming.

8-8-25 VERMONT: We had a pop-up T-storm a few days ago that delivered 0.15 inches in about an hour. It was much welcome except I had to start the grill under the garage overhang. We were grilling salmon for Val and Steve, who had just arrived. 

Yesterday we ate at the Baited Hook on Lake Mascoma just after a T-storm there. Tonight we’ll be at Casa Brava, rain or shine.

We need several inches of rain to catch up for the summer. The grass is starting to brown in spots, and the ponds are down a few inches.

The monarch I saw, I only saw one a few times, but maybe there are more than one. She has laid eggs on the milkweed [Asclepius incarnata], and I have seen four large monarch caterpillars. Very exciting. I never saw the eggs or the tiny caterpillars. 

I have also seen one turtle several times, but it might different turtles.

New blooms: monkshood, mint, golden rod, Joe Pye weed, cardinal flower, aster.

A monarch caterpillar eating milkweed.

Two more caterpillars, one near the top and one at the bottom.

Here's the monarch hovering over the milkweed.

Monkshood, each intensely purple flower is shaped like a cowl.

Lobelia, called cardinal flower because of the color and shape like a flying bird. It also comes in blue and white. The blue should be along in a few days.

The first aster, known to crossword fans as fall bloomers, tells us that summer is aging.

Black-Eyed Susan. Wild ones have been open in the pasture for weeks, but the garden ones just appeared.

Lilies with a tiger swallowtail looking a bit worn.