When I checked our chrysalis on Friday, it was still bright green and full.  And on Saturday, it was dry and empty.  I didn't get to see the butterfly emerge, but it must have, because it's gone.  So, now we know that Eric Carle did his homework when he wrote the story The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  With some butterflies, the pupal stage lasts about 2 weeks. And now we know that the Black Swallowtail butterfly falls into this group.  

 

Isn't it cool to learn new stuff?  Especially from children's books.  ;)  I love it!!!

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

We were having a little breakfast this morning, and could hear the woodpecker chattering.  So I looked out and saw her in the blueberry bushes!!!  She is huge:  maybe 15 inches tall, and I have no idea how the branches can hold her, but there she is!!!

 

When I checked for berries yesterday I only saw a few, and they were on these first two bushes.  So there she is, helping herself.  And we are happy to share;  we certainly have enough.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

On our walk home last night after happy hour, we noticed this Luna moth, probably just emerging.  It was about 5 inches across and the most beautiful green, soft in the evening light.  

 

Always thinking about you, I took its picture so you could see it too.

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

Look how beautiful!!!  After all the recent wormage, I thought you might enjoy a pretty picture for the day.  Here is a gorgeous Tiger Swallowtail feasting in our marigolds.  

 

And look!!!  Even her body is yellow!!!  Thanks, Linda for making me look closer.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Here is our little caterpillar today:  a chrysalis attached to the lovage stem.  I think this stage lasts about two weeks.  That information is based on the children's book by Eric Carle:  The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  Really, though, I don't know how long it lasts.  I will put it on my calendar and try to check on it every day.  I'll let you know.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Yesterday I saw this big, fat caterpillar eating my lovage leaves.  And today when I went out there to check, it had attached itself on the lovage, and started the process of becoming a chrysalis.  I'm not sure how long it takes, but I think by tomorrow it should be transformed.  I will let you know.  How exciting!!!

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

We looked up from our usual walk in the park, and spotted this bald-faced hornet nest.  What I want to know is:  how it got to be this big without either of us noticing it on our weekly walks.  Well, it did, and it's huge:  bigger than a basketball!!!

 

It is up about 8 feet off the ground, and not too close to the walking path.  I have read that colonies of bald-faced hornets can contain 400-700 workers, and the workers aggressively defend their nest by repeatedly stinging invaders.  Yikes!!!

 

I have no desire to touch it, or get too close, but I LOVE seeing them.  And this one is awesome!!!

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!! 

 

Funny!!!  Not funny!!!  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I noticed this moth on our front door the other day.  It hung around for a long time.  When I put the Seek app on it, it said Promethea Silk Moth,   So I looked it up, and the picture was the same as this one, except the wings were all the way flat open.  Callosamia promethea, also called Spicebush silk moth, has a wingspan of 3-4 inches, and it is beautiful.

 

These moths use Tulip Poplars, Sassafras, and Spicebush as their host plants, and we have plenty of all those around here.  

 

I love seeing something new, and this was it.  I hope you enjoyed seeing it too.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

On my way home from Violet's I saw these two deer.  Appearently they saw me too, and posed for their portrait.  

 

There are lots of youngsters about these days, and they don't know about cars yet, so please go slow around the curves.  They seem to pop up out of nowhere.  

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!