I’m feeling a bit under the weather with all this humidity. Since I’m allergic to molds and mildew, an extended period of high humidity takes its toll.
I’m over it.
I did manage to get out yesterday to water the plants and take some pictures. Then it was back inside with the air conditioning. And Don and I moved our morning coffee location to the front porch to avoid the mosquitoes in the Secret Garden.
A couple of monarchs have been gracing us with their presence. I think they’ve recently emerged from the milkweed. They flit, they fly, they land on things and move on as if they’re just discovering this world. It’s lovely to watch. There is something about them that is magical. And to know that the milkweed that I let grow wherever it wants to on this property is part of the reason for their existence makes me very happy.
This monarch kept flying back to the milkweed and I had to contort my body to get a picture of him in there. But it was worth it.
Then, late yesterday afternoon as I was standing on the porch, a monarch landed on my hanging lantana plant. I happened to have my camera with me.
I’ve seen a lot of monarchs this year, which is very, very encouraging.
And bees, of course.
As I looked out the kitchen door yesterday, this greeted me. So I ran for my camera.
I didn’t want to wait as I knew the heat would force them to close up in the afternoon.
Morning glories make me smile.
We’re having brunch with Doug today. Rick is out of town.
And then I’m retreating to the air conditioned cottage!
Happy Wednesday.
thanks for sharing your lovely photos of lovely things!
hope you get a break from the humidity and feel better soon. we had a week of temperatures in the mid-80s and slightly lower humidity, but now things have gone up again. i am ready for fall’s cooler weather!
glad you have time to enjoy with doug and sam. :) happy wednesday!
kathy in iowa
This has been an extreme summer – either very, very dry or very humid and wet with no in betweens!
Oh my gosh, your pictures this morning are magical. I can remember entire summers where we’d never see a monarch. They’ve been making a comeback here in SE Wi too and this year each time I look into the garden I see one, and sometimes two at once! I make sure to have my camera handy. Although my husband pulled out milkweed before I could stop him, we still have a few left. Now that I’m on Day Three of my retirement, I’m already making plans for some changes in the garden next year and a morning glory vine is #1 on my list.
Take care of yourself. I imagine all the mowing you’ve been doing has stirred up molds and mildew in your “tropical” yard contributing to your not feeling the best.
Congratulations on your retirement, Kay! So happy for you!
So many pretty flowers and insects on your lovely property. I love that your camera is so handy and you get these great shots. Its hot hot hot here and I’m either relapsing on my cold or it’s my allergies (which is what I think it is). Ugh! Stuffy head in hot weather is not fun. My front door lock is messed up so I’m waiting on the maintenance man to come fix it. It’s a good day to stay home I think! Hugs!
Stuffy head here as well. I’m betting it’s allergies for you, too.
Your morning glory is so pretty. I think I’ve decided that my clematis, will have to be moved…and replaced with a morning glory. I’m really enthralled with them. I haven’t seen a monarch yet….so, I’m really enjoying your pics.
Hope you feel better…enjoy brunch! ;)
I love morning glories! And they bloom later in the season, so they’re a delightful way to wind up the summer.
Beautiful pictures and beautiful words
Hope you are already feeling better- and enjoy your brunch
Siobhan x
Thank you, Siobhan. Still not feeling great.
I enjoy photos of your garden fauna and flora, Claudia. This summer I’ve had many more bees than past summers, especially in and around my lavender plants. No monarchs though since I don’t have milkweed. I do have fritillaries and swallowtails. They seem to like the salvias.
We have fritillaries and swallowtails, too, but I’ve seen more of the monarchs this year – which is a good sign!
We, too, have had quite a few Monarchs visiting. They are so busy!! I was just outside deadheading some tall Phlox, and there have to be at least 10 bees on the Russian Sage. They surely do love it! The humidity is back here, as well. Not a fan. I have heard on the news that any standing water along with the high humidity is really increasing the mold spores, so that sounds like it could be bothering you. ugh.
Hope you had a lovely brunch and are back in the AC. This summer reminds me a lot of winter with the amount of time we have spent indoors!!
I don’t think mowing in this humidity helps, either! But it must be done.
I’m fast getting tired of this summer – either way too dry or way too wet and humid. But I don’t want it to end, either!
I have not seen a monarch yet this year…I do wish I would…their wings look like stained glass!…I hope you are feeling better after your brunch with Doug!
They are so, so beautiful and were very much a part of my childhood.
Hope you are feeling better. This weather is awful. Love that Monarch. The flowers are beautiful.
Marilyn
Yes, I agree. It is awful out there, Marilyn. Hang in there!
I hear you on the mold allergies and heat/humidity. Our humidity has dropped to 40 percent since 2pm although it’s still in the low-90s temps-wise, so I’m fairly miserable outdoors. The heat just bears down like a heavy weight, like it’s just pulling your body to the ground when you’re out there in it. Yesterday was darn not; last time I looked at the thermometer it was 96 degrees and then I just quit looking at it because I didn’t want to know.
Your butterfly photos are so lovely. I had huge bumble bees in my golden medallion tree this morning; I didn’t linger. The tree is going into full flower glory; the bees love it. I don’t understand what’s going on, but my roses have struggled since well before Mother’s Day; I’d thought my husband over-treated for aphids. Now, in this intense heat, they’re exploding in buds. I have one bush that stretches 7 feet from the ground upward. I guess the fence is holding it upright. Still, the heat fries the flowers fast, so I cut half a dozen roses for the house early this morning; so pretty in a clear glass vase, white and pink and yellow.
It dawned on me the other day that, strangely, considering indeed a humid/hot SoCalif summer that I am NOT seeing mosquitoes. And I have ‘way too many places of standing water which would otherwise attract them (not the wisest thing!). I usually have a ton of nuisance, itchy bites by now. I always wonder if it’s because I live in pesticide-heaven (hell), surrounded by agriculture; so many fields of row crops and orchards. I don’t miss mosquitoes were that the case (of chemical spraying) but it’s a lousy trade-off. One thing that’s encouraging is that I’ve never seen so many ladybugs; they make me smile.
I read a post from someone who lives in Los Angeles the other day and she was complaining about mosquitoes. In the good old days before climate change, one of the things I loved about San Diego was that there were no mosquitoes! I’m betting there are now.