Welcome Visitor

I was committed to posting a beautiful Autumn Meadowhawk Dragon today, knowing that soon there won't be a dragon to be seen.  But when two hummingbirds showed up this afternoon, I knew that I'd have to blip one of them.  It's getting late in the season for hummingbirds, so each sighting seems extra special now.  And, while this certainly isn't one of my best hummingbird shots, it's my best one today.  And that's good enough.

We continue to have a large number of Painted Lady Butterflies in the garden, each willing to pose for endless photos.  I also spotted a sulphur (either Clouded or Orange - I can never tell for sure) nectaring on the buddleia and a lovely little Gray Hairstreak in the new pollinator garden. I'm trying to get my fill of butterflies before winter sets in...

Speaking of butterflies, I released 4 Monarchs today: one for a father, one for a MIL and two for mothers.  Each one was perfect.  Looks like two more are queued up for tomorrow.  And three of my remaining 4 cats are doing their walk-abouts, leaving only one still eating.  My work becomes very easy now since all I have to do is wait for them to emerge.  No more early morning runs to the farm to collect milkweed, no more cleaning endless frass from cages, no more trying to get an accurate count of tiny striped caterpillars.  Bittersweet.

Hubs and I are having dinner with our friends from the farm tonight.  I'm sure we'll compare some notes on our monarch raising adventures (this being Barb's first year) and also some much needed laughter.  

Took MIL to yet another specialist today.  I wish we were closer to getting answers but it doesn't feel that we are.  The positive side is that she is not in much pain at all right now.  Every little blessing counts.

Thank you for all the lovely comments on my monarch chrysalis yesterday.  With over 20 more chrysalises in the nursery, it won't be the last you see of monarchs this year...  you've been warned.

xo
Debbi