Still trying to build in a consistent pattern for posting here versus the rest of life, so here’s a general update for the moment. Continue reading “This and That–24 October 2018”
Tag: Visitors
A Tale of Two Kitties
Last year, two of the many cats that wandered through our yard were ginger tabbies. I didn’t realize that there were two until both showed up at the same time.
This year, I have only ever seen one ginger on the property at any given time. It has been a menace, and I’ve mentioned various reasons why before here. There was also the mangled monarch story which I can’t definitely say was the ginger cat’s fault for certain, but circumstances made it hard to dismiss the possibility. Continue reading “A Tale of Two Kitties”
Why didn’t I think of this sooner…skunk.
After I had checked on the monarchs, I went to roll up the shade on my office window, and immediately was grateful the window was closed. Continue reading “Why didn’t I think of this sooner…skunk.”
Did you notice?
In my two milkweed tussock larvae post, I remember seeing the black dots behind the woolly glory and a part of my brain that wasn’t sleepy wondering, “are there younger instar under that leaf?”
So I took a closer look in another shot that showed more of the eaten area where I thought they were, and there sure as heck are. The Count would have been thrilled to have something else to count, and more numerous to boot!
two milkweed tussock larvae
Where did all these blue jays come from?
And why are they in my kitchen garden where I’ve never noticed them before?
I haven’t planted any new seeds in that bed in weeks. They seem to like the bean teepee as a perch, but aren’t bothering the plants that I can see. The basil has started to flower, and one wildflower I let be might be starting to seed, but still.
Seriously. I think I’ve counted six individuals flitting about so far. Some seem to be juveniles, but I’m not a bird expert. Normally I only see two max.
*thinks* So what do you call a bunch of bluejays? *goes to search* Oh good grief. I just looked it up, and apparently I had a small party of blue jays in my kitchen garden. Can’t help but laugh at that!
Update on things that go from wormy to fluttery
I heard back from a local monarch expert I’ve been corresponding with, and she concurred that what I found is more likely to be milkweed tussock larvae. Continue reading “Update on things that go from wormy to fluttery”
Awaiting word from an expert…
A short tale of Damsels and Dragons
Despite knowing that Gardner has many wetlands, ponds and waterways, because we don’t really see any of it from even the upper story of our home, you wouldn’t consider our home sited terribly near any of them. Yet if you look at one map that shows various water features, there’s quite a bit in our portion of the Greater Gardner Area, especially wetlands to the south and west.
- The light blue patterned bits demarcate wetlands. We live near Greenwood Hill.