Look at that payload of pollen on this hard-working beauty . . .

A female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail in flight to the next flower . . .

And now for something completely different . . . Cicada Killer Wasps. You'll find these wasps in Illinois starting in July as they emerge from their underground nests which are about a foot deep in loose/sandy soil . . .

Last week while out sitting and waiting (it's what photogs spend a lot of time doing), this bright green shield-like flying thing flew by and landed on a tall grass. Nothing but an invitation to go investigate for sure . . .

Up close and personal with a hummingbird clearwing moth . . .

We all know about the symbiotic relationship between milkweed and the wonderful Monarch butterflies, but there is a dark side to milkweed, especially for bees . . .