Monarch

When I planted the zinnia seeds
I planted in four different locations.

I thought about our prevailing summer winds.
Most of our wind comes from the southwest.
I planted on the north side of my house and the east side.

I planted another bed with zinnias that is somewhat protected by a tree.
I did plant a few on the south side.
This way I have nectar regardless of wind.
The southwest, hot, dry, wind blew all day.
The Monarchs could easily find food.
They did not have to use up energy fighting the wind.

Tumbling Tumbleweeds

When our daughter moved to Colorado we would drive out to visit.

As we drove across the state of Kansas I would look at the fields of sunflowers.

We made this trip many times in August.

I always checked the fences for tumbleweeds.

On our way home we would stop and put a couple of tumbleweeds in the backseat to put in our garden. I love tumbleweeds.

One summer I made a music sampler to listen to as we drove through Tumbleweed Country.
It is a compilation of Cowboy Songs.

The tumbleweeds have long ago disintegrated. Our daughter has moved farther west.

Today it is too hot for me to be outside.

I put my sampler on.

I am listening to Cowboy Songs;

Tumbling Tumbleweeds, seven different versions, Home On The Range, Ghost Riders In the Sky, Get Along Little Doggie, Cool Water, Red Sails In the Sunset, Up the Lazy River, the list continues. Two hours of Cowboy melodies.

Wonderful artist too; Jonny Cash, The Sons of The Pioneers, Tennessee Earnie Ford and many more. I added a few songs from Paint Your Wagon.

"Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds...."

Drift along with me.

Hot is hot

The acorns are starting to fall.
It seems early.

I put the grape jelly away for the year.
The Orioles still come looking for their treat.

The bees are covered in pollen.

The Hummingbirds find bugs and nectar in the flowers.

It is a hot August day.

Sunset

The wind died down at sunset.
I went outside and sat on the deck.
The juvenile Blue Jay was perched on the basket handle.
He did not move when I sat down next to him.

I opened my book and began reading.
When I glanced up the Snowberry Clearwing was nectaring in the Butterfly Bush.
I raised my camera. There were two Clearwings!

We planted the Butterfly Bushes close to the deck.
Some of the blooms now hang between the bottom rails.
One of these days the Butterfly Bushes will be hanging over the top rails.

I like sitting in my deck chair and watching the birds and the bugs.

Hot winds

The wind is blowing out of the southwest.
It is a hot wind.
The forecast is for hot and dry all week.

I am reading a remarkable book.
Susan Gets Native is a remarkable Blog.
These two are remarkable people!

Water, water, water

Cool, clear, water,

water, water, water....

The Feverfew is in it's second bloom.
The Pearl Crescents enjoy it.

I have the sprinklers on again.
Frontyard and backyard flower beds are too dry.

Hot and hazy with high humidity makes it so I cannot stay outside.
I have seen many butterflies through the backdoor window.
I saw the Pipevine Swallowtail. I hope it found the Dutchman's Pipe Vine.

I am taking my camera out when I move the sprinklers.
Maybe Pipevine Swallowtail will come back.

Anticipation

I was sitting at my desk
when I heard thunder.



I went outside.
The air is heavy.


Like the Eastern Tailed-blue
I crossed my tails.
I wish and I hope for rain again.


I have left the vining Milkweed.
For some it is a weed.
For the Monarchs it is a host plant.
I watched as this Monarch laid her eggs.
She perched for a minute on a spent poppy stem.

I sat on the deck for a few minutes.
The clouds are building.
My friend, the female Hummingbird, came right up to me.
She perched in the Kumquat tree.

I will go back outside.
I will watch for rain.

A little relief

The clouds began to build this afternoon.



After supper a few sprinkles began to fall.

Rain came with the thunder.

The Hummingbird showered
and caught drops on her tongue.

It did not rain very much.
The air was washed.
It smells divine.

Thank you for sending some rain.

Giant Swallowtail

The Giant Swallowtail
is the biggest of the Swallowtails,
measuring about 6 1/2 inches across.

Giant Swallowtail on Red Zinnias.

Their host plant is the Prickly-ash.
Not considered an attractive shrub.
My butterfly book suggests planting the Prickly-ash in the back of the butterfly reserve.
I will need to order three.

The entire yard is a butterfly reserve.

If the Giant Swallowtail likes the Prickly-ash I am sure I will too.

Festival of Butterflies

Powell Gardens is hosting The Festival of Butterflies.
The Blue Morpho will be there.

I want to go.
I want to see the Blue Morpho.

Out and in

I am not lasting very long outside.
It is too hot and humid.
I want to be with the birds and the butterflies.
Watching them from the inside is not as fun
as when we spend eye to eye time.


I check the birdbaths
and the butterfly "puddlers",
making sure they are filled with water.
I will perch up for a few minutes.



I get too thirsty.
I am over hot.
I have to go back inside.

Once I cool down I go back outside.
I make my rounds.
I say my, "Hello."

I am not the only creature seeking the cool.

We need rain.
Our air needs washing.

Good Luck

The Angel and I made an agreement.
I will watch over her,
she will watch over me.


When our son is ready for her to reside
at his new place she can travel to him.

I will fill her dish with water.


The turtles once were on my parents front porch.
They went to my son's house.
Now they will live with me.

The dragonflies swoop and rest all day long.
I have heard they are good luck.
I am a lucky girl.

The Black Swallowtail was drying her wings on the parsley.
It is festival time.
I am celebrating.
August at my house shall be know as "Festival of Wings".

Lammas

Today, August First,
is known to some as
Lammas or Lughnasadh.

It is a celebration of harvest.
This is a very interesting holiday.
An ancient festival time of year.

My wheat was harvested in June,
before the heat of summer.
I baked zucchinni muffins as
my festival bread.

I went outside.
August is hot and humid.
The ground is hard and dry.

I picked tomatoes and zucchini.
I watched birds and butterflies.
Lugh, the Celtic Sun God, was too bright.

I am a moon girl.
I am longing for rain.

Tiger and an Ash Tree

The Green Ash Tree is in bloom.

It is a huge shade tree.
Plenty of food for the Tiger Swallowtails.

Morning Butterflies

After I fed the birds
I went backyard butterfly hunting.

The Wild Indigo Duskywing
has a white frilly skirt on her hind wings.

I never weary of the female Tiger Swallowtail.
Whenever I see her I am awed.

She has faded some.
Her disguise helps to keep her safe.

Seeing the Monarchs in the morning
is a wonderful way to start the day.

I say goodbye to July.
I have seen 31 different varieties of butterflies in my backyard this past month.
It has been a good month.