This image is courtesy of a friend who has a fabulous garden. She’s been seeing a decent number of swallowtails this summer, and so have I.
Here’s another one she took of a black swallowtail. I’ve been seeing quite a few of those, too. It’s browsing a clethra alnifolia, also known as summersweet. It is one of my favorite late summer shrubs because of its delightful scent.
It’s been hot, hot, hot here in Rhode Island. I had a guest last week, and when people visit the Ocean State, not surprisingly, they want to go to the ocean. So we went to the beach and did beach things – like boogie boarding. I always forget how much fun that is.
One morning, we were too late and the beach parking lot was full. But all was not lost. I drove us to one of the state’s many lovely freshwater ponds. We set up our chairs in the shade, had a swim, and watched some people and their dog on SUPs.
Fried clams were also high on my guest’s agenda, so I obliged.
I also saw my first katydid. A strange-looking insect. I wonder if it’s thirsty in this drought.
Digging RI 
Hi there, I love, love and I mean Love your blog. I was born and raised in RI until, after the kids were out of the nest, my hubby and I decided to sell our big house, cram stuff into storage and moved onboard our 42′ ketch. We sailed South, and after NY, checked into the Intracoastal Canal. Did I mention we also had our sweet English Setter, Jenny, and two cats with us?? Yeah. Nuts, right? I look back at it all, and wonder whether we were sane or insane. Lol. We had quite the adventure and somehow ended up in Portsmouth VA. I always thought that it was a stopover till we headed home, needing to make some money, that dirty word. We both got work, and here we still are, some 10? Years later. I make yearly treks to RI to see my family, grandchildren etc., but I miss it so much!!! I found your blog recently, and it is a Godsend. I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks for giving me a piece of R.I. that I can visit without a plane ticket!
Cindy Tetreault
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Thanks for your comments, Cindy. I am glad you manage to make it back to RI at least once a year. I really appreciate your kind words and support. I’ve been writing this blog since 2009, and sometimes I wonder if anyone is reading.
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TY so much for this one; I haven’t seen Swallowtails this Summer but I’m not in our yard as much as usual so this was a treat to see your pics. We’ve noticed increased butterfly and moth action in our yard so we’re pleased with that and I intend to plant more striking Sneezeweed.
Your comments on your guests’ itinerary here – if we can’t ocean beach it then we’ll hit the fresh water ponds – remind me of the wide range of nature options here – lovely and special. It’s like being 10 yrs old at Higgins Beach again.
Yes, yes, Summersweet – a wonderful shrub. The East Farm Native Garden on the East side of the Veg Garden is ablaze with blooms now – cranberry colors of NY Iron Weed, rosy Joe Pye Weed, ….. – a sight to see in all their glory.
Please continue to post – truly appreciate your artistry and prose. TY.
A fan, GP
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So glad you are still reading, GP. Thanks for the encouragement.
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And I was already craving the seafood platter…
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It’s soon good there, too. Not expensive either! Is it unbearably hot where you are?
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