Garden Bugs This butterfly was enjoying the anise flavored nectar of Agatache foeniculum - Anise Hyssop. I think the butterfly is Limenitis arthemis arthemis - The White Admiral or Red-spotted Purple, either way its a beaut!

This medium-sized version of a very large spider is Argiope aurantia, the Garden Spider is found throughout north America from Canada to Mexico, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and even on Hawaii. This lovely lady (you can tell its a female by it's overall robustness, specifically in the abdomen) has set up house in one of the Lavendula angustifolia shrubs in the herb garden.