I think the insects must be carb loading at the end of summer. Suddenly there's a mass of clearwing hummingbird moths all over the butterfly bushes, literally couldn't count them. They were fearless, landing inches from me.
I did a big prune of the butterfly bush and they went right on feeding, even when I was cutting branches. Just switched to another branch.
There were even a couple of aerial battles fought. In among them several kinds of bees, monarchs, tiger swallowtails, lbbs -- little brown butterflies -- all feeding like there was no tomorrow.
And at the pond there were several small turtles swimming, frogs sitting up at the water's edge
Across the pond were ducks, which means either the turtles weren't snappers or maybe they were too young to bite the ducks' feet.
And the morning glories are beginning to set seed.
Nice area you live in.
ReplyDeleteThis state is lovely, unlike its reputation, fostered by jealous New Yorkers 😉
DeleteCharlie Brown and Snoopy 💖
ReplyDeleteSuch wisdom from a beagle. On the other hand who knows better than a dog about living in the moment.
DeleteNo....no m m microwave? How? My microwave is in constant use....
ReplyDeleteI thought mine was, until I found I like the extra counter space more.
DeleteIt looks like a nice walk. It’s hard to not think the worst lately, especially when we’re seeing so much of it.
ReplyDeleteYes, living here is quite a trial just now.
DeleteThose moths must n be quite a sight. I only recall seeing two in my entire existence.
ReplyDeleteThey're out again today, a whole conference of them.
DeleteOh my, you may have a little forest of morning glories!
ReplyDeleteThey're strictly annuals here, so I would like a forest, after the struggles I've had getting them going at all.
DeleteMy cat has brought in two frogs now. Big frogs. One I did not discover until it was quite dead and dusty. The other was quite alive and hopped away before we could catch it. In the library. Some day I'm sure I'll find that one too. I'd much rather see them in the great outdoors.
ReplyDeleteCheck your bed before you get in..
DeleteSuddenly summer seems to be rushing to fit everything in before autumn arrives.
ReplyDeleteHere fall usually gets going in October, so I don't know what their hurry is.
DeleteIt's difficult to not feel sad.
ReplyDeleteYes, the drumbeat of bad news and rising prices.
DeleteI had a crowd of hummingbirds yesterday as well. I haven't seen any this year until yesterday. The weight we are carrying is become too heavy, something has to give.
ReplyDeleteI've only had a few sightings this year, in ones!
DeleteI so fear when there aren't many insecta around as they are so integral to the cycle of life. It's like you can exhale when you see life across many genus (geni?)
ReplyDeleteYes, I hear you. There's a feeling of well being when the place is alive with all kinds of pollinators.
DeleteWe have a lot of bind weed that looks like that. It is strangling everything, and we can't get rid of it because it comes in from next door.
ReplyDeleteHere even bindweed isn't a problem because of total winter die back. This morning glory is a named species, very welcome. My next door neighbor is hoping it will spread to his patio.
DeleteFall is coming.
ReplyDeleteI only saw my very first hummingbird moth last year. It had coloration like a bee. Scary! I didn't know what it was and had never known such a thing even existed! Googled it. Was glad to find out it was just a giant strange moth.
That must have been quite a surprise! Arghgh, what is it??
DeleteI'm curious what made you trim the bush if the moths were still feeding on it. Hopefully there's plenty of butterfly bush around to keep them supplied with calories!
ReplyDeleteThere's a twenty foot butterfly bush a few feet away, the parent of this one, and this was engulfing my chairs. I had to move branches to sit. So they're not in danger of getting hungry around here. Tons of flowers and shrubs.
DeleteI have a black thumb, but I do know to leave nature be as best I can. We're not so close to autumn here, though, and probably won't see much cooler weather before mid-October, if then. I'll try to remember as it approaches to be looking in Mr.
ReplyDeleteBA's garden for more insects, as I do love to try to photograph them.
Sometimes leaving things alone is a good approach. Insects are so beautiful. I've done a lot of drawings of them, but they're a bit niche, so many people cringe!
DeleteYou are so lucky to have pond turtles. I could watch them for hours. I encountered some in a temple pond some years ago and they came towards the visitors - clearly they expected to be fed.
ReplyDeleteThese are definitely wild, not expecting anything from people, but they're entertaining to watch, great swimmers.
Delete