The admiral butterflies are still here. This one was sunning himself on the pea trellis yesterday: I went to pick some Calendula flowers. We dry the petals to use in soaps, creams and teas. There were so many flying things in them so I just postponed the picking: There is a fly in there, can you see it?
Your Calendulas look striking. Most of mine are gone now. I don't think that I would have disturbed the flyers either. That flying insect looks like one of the mock-bees...a drone fly sort, or hoverfly. Perhaps the Eristalis tenax. I like having these around in the garden, as they feed on other winged pests that find their way into the gardens.
We actually had some sun over the week-end and all the butterflies came out to feed on my white butterfly bush. I must remember to put some piccies on to the forums to let you see them.
I've picked my calendula already, and have got my salves made. Soap to come. We still have some butterflies going around here too, and that last pic, the fly,,,jepp we have them all over up here,,lol. Your calendulas look so nice and healthy!
Thanks for the info, Sjoerd, it's nice to know which flying things that are beneficial to have around. Please, eileen, let's see those butterflies on your bush! Biita, you're way ahead of me, wish I had your energy! I'm going to pick some of those calendula today, flyers or no flyers. They're nearing the end anyway, so no use in postponing much longer.
We have lots of bees out back too but no Calendula, I forgot to get the seeds planted in the spring I had to buy some dried blooms at the herb shop so I can get soap made. Yours are gorgeous, nice bright yellow.
So sorry about that, toni, and thank you for liking mine. I'm glad you managed to get hold of dried ones though. We managed to pick a few this afternoon, nothing buzzing about in them. We also discovered some ready seeds, so we collected those too. My youngest is very keen to store them and sow them next year. She wants her very own patch now.
Great news that your child wants to have a garden all her own. Your talent may be rubbing-off. What dýah think? My fingers are crossed.
Thank you Penny! Sjoerd, they've been sowing peas, carrots and flowers since they were able to make a hole with a chubby, little finger, so I guess it's an osmosis-thing.
