Swamp Milkweed

The Swamp Milkweed has been flourishing with the wet weather.  

It has spread in the garden around the patio and is attracting a great variety of butterflies and bees.

The photos above and below are of a hummingbird moth.

Below is a Giant Swallowtail.

The Giant Swallowtail is the largest butterfly species in Ohio and is uncommon in developed areas.

This is the first time I have seen either of these species.

Mid Ohio

Last Friday Patrick and I drove down to Cousin Mary Lou's farm.  

She's leasing a field to the owner of this Scottish Highland cow and her offspring.  The mother was only about 4 feet tall at the shoulder.  She chose her own suitor who was a different breed.  

We woke up early the next day to take Patrick and Mary Lou's son Jim to the Teen Defensive Driving Class at Mid Ohio Racetrack.  I snuck this photo before the class started.  The window at left looks on the race track.  

After dropping the boys off, Mary Lou and I drove to her little house on the Lake Erie shore.  She had just harvested most of her corn crop, so we had our fill.  

We also took a long walk, hung out on the porch and drank her favorite cocktail - the Sea breeze - while waiting for her husband Mark to pick up the boys and bring them to the lake.

Both Jim and Patrick enjoyed the class.  

Let's hope they are better drivers for having taken it.