The first three weeks of August were hot and humid before cool weather made its way to the area. Despite the heat, we engaged in our regular activities. Interestingly, if one looks at our calendar, it is filled with pickleball, golf, haircuts/beauty appointments, and social activities for Kay. We did get to spend time with our Maumelle kids and grandkids, both at a soccer game and during their visit over Labor Day weekend. Also, the pollinator garden is paying dividends as I was able to make photos of butterflies and dragonflies at will.

I spent a great deal of time working on VLOGs (video logs) of our trip to France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland in late June and July. The last VLOG, “Trier Highlights, and Cochem, Reichsburg, and the Moselle Valley”, seemingly took forever as it incorporated a number of videos along with still photos, maps, etc. These can be viewed on YouTube; just search for DunnGone.

Rather than bore you with ALL the photos shot on August 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 17, 20, 22, and 27, here are a few photos representing the yard visitors. Each group is in a “gallery” but just click or double click on a particular image to enlarge it.

On Friday, August 1, a Painted Lady, Dun Skipper, Fiery Skipper, Prairie Lizard, several dragonflies, and a Silver-spotted Skipper were photographed.

And then on Tuesday, August 5, a dragonfly and a couple of butterflies (Common Buckeye and Little Yellow) were photographed.

On Wednesday, August 6, a few more skippers showed up.

A Strawberry Clearwing moth, aka butterfly moth, was buzzing around and a Giant Swallowtail made a first time visit on Saturday, August 9.

Another “big” swallowtail (a black version of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail) showed up on Sunday, August 10, along with a Pearl Crescent, Little Yellow, and Halloween Pennant dragonfly.

A week later, Sunday, August 17, a dragonfly, Ruby-throated hummingbird, a little brown kipper, and a Sulphur were photographed.

Friday, August 22, was a special day in as much as a female Diana Fritillary showed up. This rare butterfly (Arkansas state butterfly) has been cherished by people who chase butterflies. It’s the middle top photo. Also, a damselfly, little brown skipper, and “gold” dusted bee were photographed.

On Wednesday, August 27, I celebrated my 76th birthday. It was a relatively quiet day, and the central Arkansas kids and grandkids took us out to dinner. Another highlight of the day was that it was perhaps the best “butterfly” day in the pollinator garden this season. A fresh Monarch, a Summer Azure, and a Strawberry Clearwing moth were photographed, but several other species were observed.