As we were walking in the park, we could hear Mr. Cardinal calling.  Then we saw a flash of red, and he landed in the tree right in front of us.  How exciting to be part of nature.

 

I hope you are enjoying spring in all its glory.  

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

 

We saw this the other day in the blueberry bushes.  In this picture, it looks huge, but it is only about the size of the top joint of your thumb, and about the same shape.  It is the egg case of a praying mantis.  I've told you this before, but each egg case holds about 100 baby mantids.  We love finding these things, because we love praying mantids.  They eat bugs that eat our plants, so we love them.  

 

And I love seeing them:  at first they are so tiny, then get really big.  Very cool insects.  I hope we can be there when they emerge:  that is awesome!  I'll take pix if we catch it.  Wish me luck.  ;)

 

 

HAPPY ALMOST SPRING!!!

 

Jon suggested that I show you the whole web, because it was awesome.

 

Linda, this is the same one I blew up for that beautiful close up.

 

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

 

A few days ago on our morning walk we noticed lots and lots of spider webs sparkling with all the moisture in the air.  I must have taken 10 pictures of different webs.  Some housed spiders, some showed off the remains of their breakfast.  

 

When we got home, this one was across the path to our house.  It was about 4 feet in diameter, and that picture was pretty.  But then when I cropped it and enlarged it I saw all these pearls, and the intricate design.

 

I thought you would like to see the close-up.  I love it!!!

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

My friends, Mark and Karen were in the Wild Arcadia Gardens in Bar Harbor, Maine last week and saw this beautiful chrysalis.  Mark was very proud that he knew what it was:  a Monarch chrysalis.  We enlarged the picture a bit;  it's really only about the size of your index fingertip.  But isn't it gorgeous?  Yes, it is.  I call this color "happy green."  And that rim you see near the top, turns gold when it's ready to open and release the butterfly.

 

Thanks Mark, for sending me the picture so that we can all marvel at this beauty.  

 

 

HAPPY FALL TRAVELS!!!

 

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!!!