Monarch

Despite early morning rain, the hibiscus was still going strong.  Dogwood berries began to redden.  A hummer had a few red feathers along his neck.  All About Birds said that's an immature male.  Titmice were everywhere acting like they were hatched yesterday.  One of the blue jays also acted too trusting and came within a few feet of me. 

Skinks of various sizes scooted across the patio.  One went rafting on an oak leaf.  Another swam tiredly and made no protest when I rescued it. Both of those had blue tails.  There was a frog in the skimmer and another in the deep end. 

A monarch found the butterfly milkweed.  It also sampled themountain mint.  I also saw black and tiger swallowtails flitting around.  A duskywing nectared on the mountain mint.  The variety of wasps on the mountain mint was much reduced from a month ago.