Fall migrants are coming through now. A few days ago, I saw a first fall female Chestnut-sided Warbler and on Monday, Labor Day, one investigated the bubbler.

Chestnut-sided Warbler, first fall female (note, no chestnut sides)

By next spring, she'll look more like this one, with the more distinct markings that describe her. 

Chestnut-sided Warbler, female

I did find two more Monarch caterpillars and they were munching away on the Marsh Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) for days. They have crawled away now to a branch in hiding, each to form their chrysalis. By mid-month, they'll be flying adult butterflies.

Monarch caterpillar on Marsh Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

There has also been a lot of dragonfly activity. This is the first year I've had so many different species. There have been at least 3 new ones, a Cherry-faced Meadowhawk and these two. This is an Autumn Meadowhawk, formerly called Yellow-legged. It also perched on the Marsh Milkweed while I was checking the caterpillars. My friend, Yvonne H. helped me to be sure of the i.d. and said she'd not seen one outside of a conservation area or state park.

Autumn Meadowhawk on Marsh Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

While waiting for the warbler, this Blue-faced Meadowhawk perched on a Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) in front of me.

Blue-faced Meadowhawk on Celandine Poppy (Stylophourm diphyllum)

"If you build it, they will come!" There's always something new to see in the garden! Now, if I could just find out what this little one is that likes the Cardinalflower (Lobelia cardinalis)!

Tiny Syrphid fly (Syrphinae tribe Bacchini) on Cardinalflower (Lobelia cardinalis)