The lure of the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden is the flora, but the fauna is the serendipity that makes the experience extraordinary.

We spent an inordinate amount of time studying the frogs.

It’s a frog eat frog world.

New this visit is the butterfly house featuring butterflies that pass through Maine at some point during the year. The monarchs were brilliant and bold.

The Question Mark Butterfly was a new one for me.

The Painted Lady is one we see in our backyard.

I always thought that a butterfly sitting on the ground was struggling to survive. I learned that they absorb necessary minerals through their feet from the moist soil.

The Mourning Cloak was new to me and my favorite butterfly of the day. I learned that it’s one of the only butterflies that overwinter in Maine as an adult.

Hannah and I both picked up a few travelers that we had to shoo off before leaving.

The bumble butt photo opportunities were many.

Spotting dragonflies is always fun – especially when they allow a photo.

dragonfly on flowers

This dragonfly is my favorite photo of the day.

My second favorite photo capture is this Black-capped Chickadee perched what I think is a Smoke Tree.

Other Coastal Maine Botanical Garden Posts

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