nanaval Loc: Cornwall

Smashing set Corky...

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Many thanks, Val and so glad that you liked!

merrytexan Loc: georgia

I enjoyed this set very much, corky. congrats on your new bird, the flowers are so pretty, and
i love your beautiful butterfly shots, and you even got a monarch! i didn't see any monarchs this past year.

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Really appreciate you looking and the two smiley faces, Merry and very glad that you liked! I'm sorry that you didn't have any Monarchs stop by this season and think most of ours seen this fall came from eggs laid on milkweed plants in our yard. Take care!

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

I'm trying to get caught up, Corky, and I don't know how I missed this post. All images are simply beautiful, and I'm so envious of the shots of your wonderful little Redstart. No need to apologize for these. I'd be tickled pink to call them mine! I intended to ask you the other day if you'd been able to get shots of your Redstart..and I see that you certainly did!

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Thanks, Donna and so glad to hear from you and hope the little Redstart is in lower Florida or even a little farther south! I know all about getting behind as it seems I'm almost always in that position and hope that you are only behind because you guys have been having lots of fun! Take care!

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Not a log of fun, Corky, but just way busier than I'd like to be. You take care as well...and stay warm!

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Rob48 Loc: Portland, ME

Nicely done, Corky; what species of flower is #6?

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

It' a Blue Passion Flower, Rob and we purchased it locally in the Spring of 2017 and during late summer it started producing those beautiful blooms. A bloom lasts only about a day but it's very prolific and was not that unusual to find several blooms open on the same day and have seen as many as 10 blooms on at least one day, The only problem is that the tag that came with it said that it was cold hardy only down in the mid '20s and thinking that it would not come back this year purchased a Maypop variety which was said to be hardy through zone 7. The Maypop was a very small plant as we had to purchase it through mail order and it didn't reach sufficient size to bloom this year, but have high hopes for next year...I waited this year hoping that the Blue one might emerge from its roots, but finally gave up and planted another flower in it's place but in another week or two noticed another blue one emerging about three feet away from the original and it produced many beautiful flowers this season and now pretty sure that it sprouted from seed produced by the original blue one, and have since seen several vines sprouting from other sections in the garden. In the series of images I also have a hybrid passion flower image that I purchased from Florida and the nursery told me that it would not survive the winter, but again four of five came up this year from seed, but only one plant produced any blooms. They were very beautiful, but only had four blooms total and suspect that the Maypop Blooms will be similar to it and hopefully produce many more blooms. The only problem for you would be location and think if you potted a Maypop and protected it in the coldest months it might make it.

Rob48 Loc: Portland, ME

That is true dedication, Corky; my hat is off to you, my friend. I'm convinced if we were neighbors we would be good friends. Be well.

Bill_de Loc: US

Beautiful set Corky! That Passion Flower is really something.

With winter not even here yet I am starting to yearn for spring.

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Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Thanks, Rob and we will just have to be good friends online!... Reading back over my conversation I caught one mistake--- the Maypop is reported to be hardy up to planting zone 6 instead of 7 so that might make it a little easier on you!.., I walked around in the perennials and took a look a few minutes ago---pretty sad! Take care!

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

[quote=Bill_de]Beautiful set Corky! That Passion Flower is really something.

With winter not even here yet I am starting to yearn for spring.

--[/quote
I know where you are coming from, Bill and as I just told Rob; I went outside a few minutes ago and took a walk around the perennials---very sad as only a few blooms left! One item that I misstated in the description of the Maypop Passion Flower---it's supposedly cold hardy through planting zone 6 instead of 7 so that may put it into your territory, and many thanks for your kind words. Oh, almost forgot, if you subscribe to National Wildlife Magazine, in the 2019 December-January photo edition the "Grand Prize" photo is almost unbelievable; A Bob Cat in a swamp capturing a Coot in mid-air--fantastic image! Take Care!