Sunday Safari

My husband asked me if I wanted to go
 see the Ebony Jewel Wings this morning.

He thought we could leave after I finished my journal jottings.

He thought we could go before it became too hot.

I did want to go. I could jot later.

They are so very beautiful.

So very, very lovely.

They make me cry they are so elegant.

I love the Ebony Jewel Wings.

I love the way they talk to each other and

the way the males change from iridescent green to iridescent blue.

I love the way the females flash their wing dots.

I can almost hear them saying, "Hello."

We sat with the Jewel Wings for a couple of hours.

The Jewel Wings sustain me.
They are gentle spirits.
They eat mosquitoes!

My husband did the photographs today
 with our macro lens.

I was happy to just sit with the damselflies.

I was content to be with the Jewel Wings.

I love Summertime because of the Jewel Wings.
It is their time of year.
I can see butterflies in the winter
if I go south or find a butterfly house near by.
 I have not found an indoor
 Dragonfly or Damselfly house for winter enjoyment.
The Ebony Jewel Wings have about three months
of flying every year.
Three months of hot and humid weather.
Summertime on the Tall Grass Prairie
 includes these amazing bugs.  I love living here.
I love living with the Ebony Jewel Wings.

We love turtles too.
A turtle with a Vivid Dancer is even better!

Wow!

We love drifts of wild flowers

and butterflies.

We love lotus and bees

but this Summer belongs to the Jewel Wings.

They make heat and humidity

tolerable, enjoyable because it is necessary for them.
It is their habitat.

Knowing the Jewel Wings are doing fine
gives me great hope.

Climate change is about but the Jewel Wings are adapting.
I will too. I am getting up earlier so I can greet the dawn.
I am inside during the heat of the day.
I rest. I read. I drink lots of water.

Back home I watched the Sunflowers and dreamed of
ways to create a backyard habitat for Ebony Jewel Wings.

I have the mosquitoes.

 I just need a gentle brook with dappled shade.
I need a small forest glade. I think I could support a small group of Jewel Wings.
My husband thinks we could come up with something
 for the Ebony Jewel Wings.
 I love him for that.
 I love him for taking me to see them this morning.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

It was cloudy when I went to the deck this morning.

It was much cooler.
It was enjoyable to be outside.

The bugs were out and about.

The mint is a favorite spot

as are the clovers.

When the clouds thickened
the butterflies and bees sought cover.

The birds came to the deck.
A brief shower freshened the air.

I love the smell of summer rain.

It was a short shower.

I watched Chippy lick the side of the clay pot.
I guess he needed minerals.

The Tigers came out with the sun.

The morning glories folded up.
The temperatures began to rise.

We had a short break from the heat.
Hope every one is staying cool.
Remember to set out water for the birds.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

Zebra.......

We whisper her name....
Zebra.......

My garden journal says she was here
 last year on July 17th.

Zebra.....

Right on schedule.

Zebra.....

She is gorgeous.

Zebra.....

A heat advisory continues.

I seek the comfort of my fan.

Zebra!

Keep your cool,
tempers can flare in the heat.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

The female Black Swallowtail flew about the back yard.

I knew it was a female because of her lack of yellow markings
 on her forewings.

My butterfly book says, "butterfly blood is yellow."
So very interesting.

I love taking her photograph.

The Tigers were out too.
It is hot, 97 degrees.

Some of the butterflies take to the shade.
This Dusty Wing stayed in the shade
as did the Summer Azure.

I am keeping a close eye on this Black Swallowtail caterpillar.

With each molt it changes in coloration.

These are bug and bloom days.
The Tiger Lilies are gorgeous.

The Rose of Sharon are in full bloom.

Day Lilies continue to add color to the borders.

The figs are beginning to ripen.
My friend says she would like to fold up her gardens in July.
She is weary of the heat and the dryness.
She feels this way every year.

I too am tired of the heat.
But I know the sunflowers do well
when the temperatures soar.

They are the highlight of my summer gardens.

I finished processing our trip photographs.
We ended our adventure with Paleo Rock Art.

I picked up a couple of books at the library.

Once the weather cools down I would like to see the rock art
 here in Missouri.

I am reading during the hot afternoons

and dreaming of cooler times.

Stay cool and hydrated.
Happy Sunday Safari.