Summer is a time to be busy. We manage to get outside as often as possible, subject to overheating, of course. On Saturday, it's up to get to the Farmer's Market when they open at 8:00, then bring the fresh veggies home before heading to the Falls until the sun starts to broil anyone out on the deck or the fossil beds. Dick may spend his Saturday directing traffic at the Farmer's Market, then climb the fire tower at Bernheim in the 90 degree heat. I think they call it being "retired" because you are tired again after doing so much all day!
|
|
Summer should also be a time to relax, but that's harder to schedule in to a busy calendar. Sunday we decided to take a little time for ourselves. We have been re-landscaping the back yard with a new patio and butterfly garden. Sunday morning we took some time off to enjoy blueberry pancakes on the patio, and sipping coffee on the swing. It's nice to spend time in the shade just swinging, while the cicadas sing overhead, and the scent of pine rises from your feet. What else should we do with the yard next? What plans for our daughter's wedding in September? Where would you like to go for vacation some year? We spent the evening Friday with friends we haven't seen for years. Aren't you glad our life isn't like theirs? Have you noticed all the Goldfinches at the feeder lately? Tried to get some pictures of them at the Falls yesterday, but they were just too fast. You can always hear them coming though. You are never too old for summertime dreaming.
I've seen some mystery insects lately, of the butterfly and moth variety. I haven't found this brown butterfly with a white spot in the book anyplace, but Bob says it is a
Silver-Spotted Skipper. Here is a moth that someone identified for me once, but I don't remember what it is. Looks like a cross between a giant bee and a moth. Bob "the Butterfly Man" Lenning identified it as a
Snowberry Clearwing moth - a hummingbird moth. I can certainly see the resemblance. I am amazed that this Tiger Swallowtail can still fly with such a big chunk missing in his wing. Someone said that may be a sign of butterfly old age. The sky is so hazy, it's hard to watch the birds, so concentrating on butterflies is a nice change.
Summer is a time to be busy. We manage to get outside as often as possible, subject to overheating, of course. On Saturday, it's up to get to the Farmer's Market when they open at 8:00, then bring the fresh veggies home before heading to the Falls until the sun starts to broil anyone out on the deck or the fossil beds. Dick may spend his Saturday directing traffic at the Farmer's Market, then climb the fire tower at Bernheim in the 90 degree heat. I think they call it being "retired" because you are tired again after doing so much all day!
I've seen some mystery insects lately, of the butterfly and moth variety. I haven't found this brown butterfly with a white spot in the book anyplace, but Bob says it is a Silver-Spotted Skipper. Here is a moth that someone identified for me once, but I don't remember what it is. Looks like a cross between a giant bee and a moth. Bob "the Butterfly Man" Lenning identified it as a Snowberry Clearwing moth - a hummingbird moth. I can certainly see the resemblance. I am amazed that this Tiger Swallowtail can still fly with such a big chunk missing in his wing. Someone said that may be a sign of butterfly old age. The sky is so hazy, it's hard to watch the birds, so concentrating on butterflies is a nice change.
1 comment:
I always find swallowtails with a tail missing very interesting. Presumably, the tails are made to resemble a head and antenna, so a predator strikes there instead of the other end where the head really is. This is also why many species also have 'eyes', especially towards the rear. So when I see a butterfly like this Tiger Swallowtail, I figure I'm seeing a butterfly that got a second chance thanks to an adaptation.
Post a Comment