Higotai park

Over 20 years in Japan and I never visited this park. After numerous recommendations, I decided to give it a try. There were many people, but it was relatively quiet towards the back. In this hot summer, I didn't expect any other visitors. There was one thing: everybody was looking for the blue bees.

Higotai park, Ubuyama

Blue-banded Bee, ルリモンハナバチ  Thyreus decorus

They were frequently seen in the Two-edged Loose-trife (Miso-hagi), ミソハギ  Lythrum anceps

Other bugs in the Misohagi included the Burnt-spot Hummingbird Hawkmoth

ホシホウジャク

Old World Swallowtail, キアゲハ...

...and Satouragin Hyoumon Fritillary, サトウラギンヒョウモン

Another Fritillary, probably High Brown Fritillary, ウラギンヒョウモン

A very bright orange colored Kitabakoga, キタバコガ

Golden-ringed Dragonfly, オニヤンマ

Maximowicz's Lily, コオニユリ

There seem to be very few Higotai flowers in the fields of Mt Kuju and Aso this year. I was relieved to find plenty here. Higotai ヒゴタイ Echinops setifer.

Small Copper,  ベニシジミ