Despite being so humid yesterday that I could barely think, I did have some outdoor chores to attend to; watering, whiteflies, that sort of thing. Along the way, I met up with some wonderful surprises. I call it: Claudia’s Day of Discovery.
First up.
My constant check of the milkweed for whiteflies paid off, not only in getting rid of some them, but in this discovery:
A future monarch butterfly. And yes, those are eggs on the leaf, but they don’t look like whitefly eggs which are laid in a circular pattern and, sad to say, I’m now more than familiar with. Maybe Monarch eggs? Not sure. Have to do some more research. I also saw a smaller caterpillar on another leaf, but when I came back to take a picture, I couldn’t find it.
Then, as I started to walk back, I noticed some stray bits of nest making material on the clematis, which is held up by a metal trellis. I looked closer. Down under the top leaves, was a little nest. I had to pry back some of the leaves to take a photo and it isn’t all that clear, but here you go:
At first I though they might be wren eggs, but they tend to be buff colored with brown specks. These are blue, so I think they might be the eggs of a song sparrow. Very tiny eggs. I don’t know where mama was or – I hate to think it – if the eggs have been abandoned. I didn’t want to linger there in case I was being watched by anxious parents. I’ll try to casually walk by today and see if I see some bird activity.
Heading back to the kitchen door, I realized that I kept seeing a black butterfly. I was sure it was an Eastern black swallowtail, but, as I got closer, I realized it didn’t have the extension on the bottom of the wings that swallowtails have.
Anyway, this butterfly could fly and she did, but she kept landing on the pavement and staying there, while she pumped her wings over and over. This went on for quite a while, right outside the door. A bit of flight, then a landing, then pumping. I suspected it was a newly emerged butterfly. I took some pictures and did some research. It’s a Red Spotted Purple Admiral. They look brown here, but the wings have two spots near the top that are red.
Soon, another Red Spotted Purple Admiral joined her and they both pumped their wings. It was utterly fascinating. When Don came home, I headed him off at the pass and told him to come in the front door, so as not to disturb them.
I took this short snippet of video. It’s also on my IG account.
Isn’t it amazing?
Then, this morning, Henry and a bunny rabbit were happily coexisting as they chomped on the grass.
Oh, and Lonesome Dove was on the birdbath the other day, taking delicate sips of water.
All my critter needs have been met for the week.
I was about to commit to reading another author yesterday as I didn’t get any notice from the library that a Kate Atkinson was ready and waiting for me, when, at 4 pm, one came through. Normally, that would have been too late, but on Wednesdays, the library is open until 8, so I hightailed it over there – I use that word loosely as my back is acting up, so I can’t ‘hightail’ it anywhere – and brought it home with me. It’s the very first Jackson Brodie mystery she wrote – Case Histories. While I was there, I spotted the newest Chris Pavone thriller on the ‘New Fiction’ shelf, so that came home with me, too.
It stormed yesterday and it’s going to rain today. Saturday? 98 degrees. Sunday? 94 degrees. Heat indexes of 107 degrees plus. The local weather guy was saying we should all stay indoors, and we will, but plants will have to be watered, which necessitates going outside. Yuck.
Happy Thursday.
Butterflies are so beautiful. When we lived in Massachusetts, we took our daughter to The Butterfly Place in Westford, Mass. Walking among the butterflies was a spectacular experience. We also had the opportunity to see one come out of its cocoon. One of my future quilt project is to make a butterfly quilt. We are under a heat warning. Though we have A/C I have the ceiling fans going. I am reading another Maisie Dobbs book “Messenger of Truth”. Being nosy here Do you have a favorite colour? Stay cool.
Heat warning here as well.
I’d say I really don’t have a favorite color, but since I was a child, I’ve loved red. Still do.
It’s been raining here since at least 5:30…so I don’t have to venture out and do much watering. Only a potted plant or two that are protected by the eaves. It’s still going to get into the high 90’s here…too, too hot.
The annual butterfly show starts this weekend….they bring them in from all over. It’s quite fun to see, and walk among them. With all of them flying around, it gets a little unnerving to me…but it’s a wonderful sight. Your butterfly video was fantastic….they are so beautiful! Stay cool!! ;)
Porch plants, and I have a lot, need watering. And on Saturday, after it hasn’t rained for a couple of days and it’s 98 degrees, my seedlings and outdoor plants will definitely need watering! Thanks Donnamae!
i love those kinds of days (“day of discoveries”) … glad you had one! and what you discovered is all beautiful, natural … love that, too.
I agree … hope those eggs haven’t been abandoned.
interesting about the butterflies pumping their wings. great video, too. thanks.
glad you were able to get another k.a. book. … just in time! i haven’t done much reading in a long time, but when i do read and find an author or subject i like (because i read mostly non-fiction), i want to read all that’s available … so understand your wish for more books by an author you like.
hope your back feels better soon!
kathy in iowa
It’s raining outside and my back is sore or I’d go out there and check on the eggs. Maybe tomorrow.
Thanks, Kathy.
WOW! Thank you for making my world better today. I love the beautiful photos.
Kaye,
Park City, UT
You’re most welcome, Kaye!
I love reading your blog and enjoyed your day of discovery!! Butterflies are
so beautiful and what a treat for you to see not one but two up close and be able to take a video. Hope mama and papa bird are able to come back too! Thank you for taking the time to write your blog. Enjoy it so much!!
Marion Shaw
I am in London ON Canada
My paternal grandfather was born in London Ontario! Thanks so much, Marion.
It is a small world!!
Marion
xo
A lovely day being at one with nature! If it hasn’t rained during the day, I tend to water my garden at dusk but it’s on a much smaller scale than yours. You have my sympathy for the predicted weather.
I think I’ve only experienced temperatures in the high 90s when I’ve been on holiday to Crete, I remember visiting Knossos Palace, linked to the legend of Theseus and The Minotaur, and there was no shade at all! I thought I would pass out from the heat plus my natural colouring is auburn with pale freckled skin so I rarely tan!
It’s great when you discover a new author whom you enjoy. I’ve got about a dozen library books to read including one from the American author Bill Bryson, I love his humour.
Happy Thursday
I usually don’t have to water the garden beds, only the seedlings. But in this weather, it’s a different story!
I don’t tan either. I’m very pale – always have been1
Love Bill Bryson.
Thanks, Dee Dee!
We’re having much the same kind of weather as you, though I was surprised to be woken up by thunder way too early this morning. It’s now after 11 (a.m.) and it’s still storming. We actually needed the rain. Even though we had an overabundance at the beginning of summer, it had been dry the past few weeks. When these storms move out, the heat will come in with a vengeance, with the heat index as high as 114. I just keep praying for our electricity and AC to stay on!
Those butterflies are amazing. I’ve noticed a LOT of red admiral butterflies around our property this year; moreso than the past years. I have no idea why, but I’m loving it. I also see Mr. and Mrs. Mourning Dove most every day around our yard. They’re such pretty birds. And speaking of pretty birds, my view right now is out my front door. I am watching the rain fall and there is a beautiful red male cardinal in the mulberry tree right in my line of sight. He’s singing his little heart out. :-)
We need the rain as well. It’s been very hot and very dry here for a couple of weeks. I’m happy to see my gardens and grass get some much needed rain.
I saw our mourning dove pair in the corral the other day. And yesterday, I saw them on my neighbor’s driveway.
This is the first time I’ve seen one of these butterflies. Usually, what I see is the Eastern Black Swallowtail. Love learning something new! Thanks, Melanie.
Claudia, love your day of discovery. So many wonderous things to experience if we just slow down and look. A very overcast foggy morning is totally turning around before my eyes as the clouds are separating and the fog is literally melting away. We’ll have another beautiful sunny day in the neighborhood! Hope I get in a walk today since I’m helping a friend re-assemble her kitchen after a 3-month long remodel. Then grocery shopping. I’m excited for the weekend, as my college daughter can come home for four days!!
We are in a bad, uncomfortable weather patch. Next week will be better.
Glad your daughter is able to get home for a few days!
Hot here, but not THAT hot!
Wonderful fauna!
A series you may like on Netflix: Episodes. Lots of Brits playing Yanks, and excellent acting. Also, your connection with the business may make you appreciate the humor.
Did Don ever look into The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter, Claudia? I remember when I told you about it, you thought he’d enjoy it. We’ve been cleaning and listening to our records & that made me think of you all and the book, and Don’s camera.
Keep cool!
I’ve seen that series. It’s a lot of fun!
I don’t think Don has looked into it, but I’ll remind him about it, Cara. And thanks for reminding me about it.
My pleasure, Claudia!
xo
What a happy sounding day!! I’m especially excited about your butterfly sightings. We’ve had a few around here, but never as many as I would like. We’ve been having fun bird nest experiences – we had 4 babies in a wreath on the front porch who have just flown off this week, and swallow nests on 3 of the 4 corners of our house. The swallows have been fun to watch – building the nests out of pond mud, feeding their babies, and yesterday afternoon was “learn to fly” time. It was great fun to watch! Our kitty, Peyton, especially enjoyed it, chattering away at all of them.
I will be interested to see/hear what you think of Case Histories. I picked it up based on your author recommendation, and it is quite intriguing. Tomorrow is a day off for me, and I hope to finish it up since it will be super hot (100) here in the Denver area and I will be hiding in the cool house.
Thanks for all your posts. I always appreciate hearing about your days (even when you think you don’t have much to say!!), and your photos are terrific. Have a great rest of your day!!
–Jayne
Such fun pics!! We have a wren nest in one of our birdhouses right now and mom & dad get very nervous when anyone walks that way!!
We always keep either a lg rock or a brick in each of our birdbaths for the bees and the butterflies to land upon for a drink. When the butterflies land, they always move their wings that way and I always presumed it was them “drinking”. In your pic/video it looks like where they landed it might be a bit wet. I am probably way off, and maybe it was just a shadow, but just a thought I had…….
We had about 1.5 in of rain overnight. It was a nice surprise, because I am not sure if anyone predicted more than a few random showers. It has been overcast so far this morning and has kept the temps down which is wonderful. Tomorrow sounds horrid.
Keep cool!!
I had a shallow dish with water out there for them, but they didn’t drink. I also poured some in that same area you see in the picture and they hung out there – so they may have been drinking a bit of water – but they were also on dry pavement for quite a bit. Our birdbath works fine with bees. I see them drinking there all the time. Anyway, this movement of their wings went on for well over an hour, so I’m sure they had just emerged.
I have an overgrown oregano plant that the bees and butterflies love. Have been seeing yellow butterflies flying over it. I hate to cut it back and deny the bees its flowers. Love the birds eggs, hope they survive.
I do, too, Jan.
I did read about this horrible heat you’re in for; stay cool somehow! Loved the photos and little video today; what fun! I love how you’re observant of your environment, always taking delight in it.
Always. Except when it snows and snows!
I love your nature sightings! Please keep us posted on the blue speckled eggs — they’re so very pretty. And I love the butterfly photos and story. It’s all so good.
Hot as all get out here, too. Here I am at the lake with an ear infection so no swimming, though I suppose I can go out on my noodle, which isn’t terribly exciting but cooler than nothing! It didn’t get as hot as they predicted — but there’s always tomorrow!
Enjoy Case Histories!
I’m going to walk by that nest this morning and see what I can see.
I would give anything to go out on a lake right now – even with a noodle!
So much to see in your garden – gorgeous velvety-looking butterflies, a monarch caterpillar, and little blue eggs. Thanks for sharing them.
You and all your readers located in the hot zone have my total sympathies. I heard it on the news last night.
It is going to be unbearable – and dangerous – this weekend. Not looking forward to it, Martha!
The butterflies are beautiful. Glad you get the book you were waiting for from the library. Enjoy.
Marilyn
I am. It’s excellent! Thanks, Marilyn!
Claudia you are soooo lucky to have those caterpillars! We tried growing milkweed and did very well until one day we went out and the stalks had turned bright orange. Solid aphids overnight. Our aphids are usually a pale greenish yellow, so we were blown away that these things we’d never seen before appeared overnight. Those blue butterflies are incredible.
Here in CO it is hot, but we don’t have that humidity. When we water the plants we shoot a spray of water in the air and run under it. Hahaha. Deliciously cold and keeps us cool while watering. We are so lucky for air conditioning!
Have a lovely day!
Ours are being attacked by whiteflies, so I have to be careful in removing them, as I don’t want to remove any monarch eggs. We just saw a monarch laying eggs on the milkweed this morning! Thanks, Verna!