A visit to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens was part of our punch list for this summer. We checked that one off the list – my fifth visit to the gardens in Boothbay.

From a distance, the view colors were glorious.

Looking closer, it became clear that the lack of rain has affected these flowers as much as mine – they are faded and prematurely past prime.

As a result, I focused my camera more on the pollinators.

They did not disappoint.

The dragonflies were plentiful.

They readily posed for pictures, unbothered by our presence.

There were more varieties of dragonflies than I see at our home pond.

Perhaps my favorite part of the property is the Butterfly House, where I have a captive audience – literally. This is a pipevine swallowtail butterfly.

A Question Mark butterfly.

An American Lady butterfly – maybe!

A black swallowtail.

And Monarchs by the dozens.

Yet, the best part of the outing was the road trip and adventure with Hannah.

Past Coastal Maine Botanical Garden Posts