Thursday, October 3, 2013

From my garden . . .


"No occupation is so delightful to me
as the culture of the earth, and no
culture comparable to that of the garden."

-Thomas Jefferson


It's been quite the busy week in my garden....

Both Monarchs and Queen butterflies emerged, in my dining room, although I think it now counts as an 
extension of my garden. This is one of the Queen's, not a Monarch, but a close relative. Their color
is much deeper and more brown in color. I was having trouble photographing this little lady on my plectranthus, so I clipped some of my pink penta and put it in a bottle. That's when I discovered something.


This little egg . . . I knew right away what kind of caterpillar this would be as when we first moved in
to our house, they completely devoured my pentas. Only then, I didn't realize what kind of caterpillar it was.


And, it hatched the next day. Just Check out that horn on his back end...it's harmless. This my friends is going to be a tersa sphinx moth. And I am going to try my best at keeping track of this little fella and hope he doesn't fall prey to something. After I noticed the egg, I went back to take a look at the plants and see if I could find more. Nope, nada, but I did find evidence that there had been some small caterpillars from the small chewed holes in the leaves. But so many lizards and assasin bugs...not sure what has a chance!

*(Update: I did this post last night, and upon checking this morning....it...is...GONE!
Can I hear a collective....AWWWWW! It was on my front porch because I read somewhere
NOT to bring it in the AC, so I left it outside against my better judgement.
I. Am. So. Disappointed!)



And then one afternoon after a good little rain fell, the sun came back out, and the butterflies were back out looking for food. This is a Grey Hairstreak Butterfly enjoying the milkweed . . . 


And let me tell you it has been an incredible week of close encounters. Not only did he let me get super close for a mug shot, but....he let me pick him up!

See....I have proof.


And then, he even let me put him back without flying away. It seems he must have more than one life, notice the little chunk out of his wings at the back? They were designed to still be able to fly with bits and pieces missing from their wings.


And as I was knelt down trying to see if there were any caterpillars under the milkweed leaves, this little guy pops out from the bush and comes over, curious they are. 


And it always delights me when my butterflies come home again!


And how excited am I that they finally found the feeder. But boy are they tricky to get on film...so fast!


This week is our monthly Photo Art Friday over at Pixel Dust Photo Art. The optional theme is sky. It's always the first of the month, and it sorta snuck up me this time and I didn't leave myself enough time to play with this theme since I remembered just last night. I used her textures Painting Maker, Muted Monet,
Van gogh Sky, and last a Kim Klassen texture I forgot to write down.


In other news:

1. I can't find fall...it's still in the 90's and humid. One should not sweat at a football game.

2. You remember my pink highlights? The hummingbirds quite fancy them...I was sitting on my front 
porch earlier in the week and with my camera to my eye focusing on the butterfly right in front of me
drying its wings, I hear a hummer come over and at first I think he is wanting a drink from the plectranthus
that the butterfly is on...then I hear the sound of his wings right in my ear and feel a hurricane of wind on the top of my head. I'm pretty sure he was attracted to my pink hair.

3. If that wasn't exciting enough...the next day when he came back he came right up to me at eye level about fifteen inches away and just hovered....we had a moment! And just this morning, he was back again doing the same thing!

4. The last of my Queen butterflies are about to emerge...I need to get off this computer!
Even though I've seen it hundreds of times, it just never get old.

5. Oh, and speaking of close encounters I almost forgot. A giant and beautiful dragonfly just came over and
landed on my big toe one morning while I was outside standing there. I kid you not, and I can't believe I didn't have my cell phone to capture it.

Have a fabulous weekend y'all

Love, Kim


Random Five Friday, Photo Art Journal




42 comments:

Kim Cunningham said...

You yard is like a fairy tale! There is just so much going on! So much to marvel!

tiarastantrums said...

amazing as always

Dotti said...

These are close encounters of the best kind, Kim! And I know how delighted you are. Love all the photos but that sunrise, outstanding work! xo

kathyinozarks said...

your posts are always so beautiful and inspiring-everything so awesome!!

Kathryn Dyche said...

You are like the animal whisperer. Love that the hummingbird was attracted to your pink highlights and I always love to see your lizard friends.

Adrienne said...

Photos? Perfection. Creatures? Captivating. Your gentleness, stillness? Somewhat mystical. But the hummingbird and pink highlights? Now, that is priceless!!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

How inspiring! How exciting! How comforting to know there are people like you whose love knows no bounds.

You certainly did have some 'moments' - and I am so grateful you share them with us here.

Your treatment of the sky photo really makes it look like a painting. Just lovely!

I leave, as always, with a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart.

Kmcblackburn said...

You must have a gentleness the insects can detect...they seem to flock to you...Dr. Doolittle-ish you are :)

Tamar SB said...

I always feel so relaxed when I visit here. You are the creature whisperer, such amazing little friends you have!

NatureFootstep Winged. said...

with all the love ly winged ones, why not link to NF Winged as well. :)

Unknown said...

Her it's not humid, but still in the 80ties! Great edit on your sky!

Inspired By June said...

Nature never ceases to inspire & charm! Beautiful captures, Kim! Enjoyable, as always!

Jeanne said...

i always love all of your shots of NATURE kim! So many little things that you see , and all so beautiful. Love your edit here of the sunset over the water. Gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Nature loves you! great and wonderful tales of your magical garden. xo

Zandarmid Photography said...

I love the sunset jetty shot! The texture works really well.

Miriam said...

What a wonderful post, it has brightened up my cold and blustery morning, Thank you.

Miriam said...

What a wonderful post, it has brightened up my cold and blustery morning, Thank you.

Sirpa said...

I love the last one picture, it´s a great art work!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Great photography! I too love that last photo and your use of texture. Great macro shots too!

Brandi said...

What a time you've had! Love all these creature encounters--and awesome shot! We don't have many butterflies left, but I've had some preying mantises on the porch. Have a great weekend!

Stephanie said...

You have so much beauty all around here. It is like being in a fairy tale. So enchanting.

Brenda said...

Well, you have certainly experienced some fabulous close encounters of the nature kind! Amazing images.

Buckeroomama said...

Goodness, these are such FANTASTIC images.... and how cool was that that the little guy let you pick him up?!

Hootin Anni said...

You and me both...the highs are still in the 90s here in South Texas. But, y'know, I'd much rather have that than snow packed highways any o' day. Even if I do complain about the heat and humidity!

Loved the green anole [lizard] image!!


I'm new to Random 5 this week, and thought I'd try and get the gist of it all by paying you a visit!! Happy weekend.

Snap said...

Beautiful shots. I might try pink hair if it will lure humming birds and butterflies! Looking forward to the cool air coming in this weekend! YeeHaw! :)

Nancy said...

Let's face it -- you must have some special hormone or vibe emanating from your skin or something to attract all of these beautiful creatures. Gorgeous shots Kim!

rayfamily said...

Gorgeous shots!!! I love the Thomas Jefferson quote too. Happy Weekend!

hula-la said...

Great shots! Have a terrific weekend...Aloha

Nicki said...

You, my lady, are the bug whisper. I can barely get near the butterflies and they are all "we're outta here" - one on your finger, I mean ... seriously!

Great, great shots.

Ida said...

Wow I am so in awe of the wonderful photos you capture. The butterflies are stunning, that lizard is just so doggone cute and wow you have hummingbirds that close to you. Awesome indeed.

Your PAF piece is beautiful. So warm and inviting.

Rose said...

Love that with the hummingbird...for a few morns, one came and looked in the window at me every morn while I was on the computer. I don't have any idea why. Nothing colorful there.

Andrea Dawn said...

I have so enjoyed your butterfly tales over the past months. The last butterfly shot is so captivating. Great edit for PAF . . . you chose the perfect textures.

4 Lettre Words said...

These are so extraordinary, my friend! Wow...

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos! So much wonderful stuff happening! I am living vicariously through you with the Monarchs this year. We haven't had any. :( After raising them the last 4 years, we didn't get to raise even one this year. The weather just did not cooperate and they didn't come around. I love that the hummers like your pink highlights!

Cathy H. said...

I always hold my breath when reading and scrolling down your blog. I'm so anxious to see what the next gorgeous image is going to be. Then it appears and I let out a huge sign of happiness at the beauty you capture!

Anita Johnson said...

I am just amazed by your photos and your good fortune with butterflies! Excellent. I have left Monarch butterfly caterpillars out side and usually regret it...GONE! This is the first year I didn't see even one, I wonder if the population here was just very low?

Sherri B. said...

Kim, you truly are the Bug/Lizard/Bird Whisperer...it's amazing how all these little beings are drawn to you! :D

Your photos are incredible...as always!

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful garden...filled with natures beauty!The butterfly captures are just stunning!

Deanna said...

You do have that special aura over you that just draws those creatures...you my friend, are a giver of life to those beautiful butterflies!! Keep it up, God appreciates your fine work, and your help in creating these beauties.

Gail Dixon said...

Incredible collection of butterflies in your garden. Love the grey hairstreak! They have the cutest little faces. Keep doing whatever you're doing and taking your beautiful photos.

Connie Smiley said...

What a gorgeous and interesting post! I sure appreciate your information, encouragement, and empathy.

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

The series is wonderful. Monarchs are passing thru on their migration but I haven't seen any and no hammers for about a week. Enjoying catching up.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...