Graced by a Monarch

I think such a visitation is a seal of approval from the monarchy! This beauty was probing all over the flower of my Stokes' aster, Stokesia laevis. Can I just say that I'm STOKED (sorry! Corny!). Though this is not native to the northeast, it is from the continental U.S. so I decided that it would be okay for my yard. It's an incredibly showy bloom, and a pretty low maintenance plant.

Later that same day, my Joe-Pye-weeds were anointed with HRH presence and attention, too. Monarchs seem to have excellent eyesight and vigilance - they seem very edgy and flighty, so it wasn't easy catching them with their guard down.