Walking in the woods
Originally uploaded by fylliska.
Birch juice!
Originally uploaded by fylliska.
Poor, cold inchworm
Originally uploaded by fylliska.
Flowers!
Originally uploaded by fylliska.
As you can see from the photos, we had a wonderful walk yesterday! I was starting to think that it was too early for the sap to be flowing, but we finally did find one tree that was just starting to drip. We set up a bottle to catch some juice, but it was very slow, so we left it. When Jaan and I went back today, someone had taken our bottle. Oh, well! This is just the very beginning of spring, so we'll try again.
While we were out, we saw the first few butterflies of spring, the first flowers, and one little inchworm. The best find of all was a fat, hairy caterpillar. It was floating on a piece of ice in a puddle. We brought it home, but we're a little puzzled about what to feed it. There's not much green yet. I guess it overwintered?
2 comments:
Your photo sings beautifully of the father/son bond. We look forward to the next installments.
With much love....
Just for you, Phyllis. I went out in the garden yesterday to survey the caterpillars and butterflies. The citrus trees are just finishing flowering with large quantities of fruit starting to set. The avocado tree you and Leetra started over twenty years ago is setting fruit for its second year. For the first time, a banana tree is growing fruit (4 or 5 hands).
Oops, I almost forgot the butterflies. I spotted Monarchs, Gulf Fritillaries, Ceraunus Blues, Cloudless Sulphurs, Polydamus and unidentified skippers. Earlier in the week, I saw an Admiral, a Painted Lady, a Giant Swallowtail and a Tiger Swallowtail.
We are finding a number of caterpillars.
Polydamus (Gold-rimmed Swallowtail)
Gulf Fritillaries
Monarchs
Sulphurs
I acquired some Buckeyes and Red Admirals from Edith Smith. Only one Admiral made it to chrysalis, and it has already been released. I have 8 Buckeye chrysalids which should be coming out in a few days.
The backyard is ready for legions of caterpillars. I have passionvine, pipevine, milkweed, false nettles (Red Admirals), Spice Bush, Sweet Bay, Red Bay, citrus, twin flower, cassia and more. The salad bar awaits, O voracious caterpillars!
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