Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Random thoughts…

I’m on a crusade of sorts to help the Monarch butterfly.  I didn’t know this until about a year ago, but Monarchs are dependent on milkweed to live.  So if you see a plant in your yard that looks like this...



...please don’t cut it down.  Leave it and keep your fingers crossed that a Monarch will find it and lay a few eggs.  They need our help and this is an easy way to help.  Other butterflies like it, too, so there is a good chance you’ll see some beauties like these Great Spangled Fritillaries even if the Monarchs don’t find you.


Olive and I are living like bachelorettes this week.  Greg is off on a motorcycle trip and we have enough sense not to have anything to do with that.  We’ve been staying up late watching British mysteries, which Greg will watch, but I think he prefers not to.  So we are doing him a favor…or favour.  Here’s Olive trying to stay awake after our late night as she searches for her spot.  She’s a trooper!

One day a couple weeks ago, I went out to stand under our Crabapple tree.  I like standing there because I don’t think I can be seen when I’m inside and under of the branches.  I’m sure that’s illusory on my part, but I do it anyway.  Don’t ask me why.  I just think it’s cool.  So anyhow, I ventured into the tree one day and a bird flew at me and out of the tree.  It was a robin and there was the nest sitting on a branch just slightly above my head.  I hadn’t seen it in there from the outside.
  I tried to stay away so that the family could have some privacy, but I was curious so I had Greg, who is a bit taller than I am, look to see if there was anything still inside the nest.  He thought he could see two eggs.  Well, we left them on their own for the most part and, sure enough, at least two babies emerged.  Now they have flown the coup and I can look more closely at what I think is the most elegant of bird nests.  I couldn’t get a good photo because of all the leaves and branches in the way, but I love those tendrils.  Isn’t it beautiful?

Here you can see two little ones in the nest.  It’s also a pretty poor photo.  It is in situations like this that I really wish I were taller but nothing can be done about that in this lifetime.  At least I got to see the little buggers.  I hope they live long and prosper.

What is it with Blogger lately?  I keep getting these white lines that I have a heck of a time getting rid of.  Well, there are more pressing things I have to think about now...like what the heck are Olive and I going to watch tonight.

11 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

oh, you two girls, hanging out together... :)

i hope greg enjoys his trip.

we have milkweed that grows quite prolifically in our pastures. i leave it be as much as i can (except for when the hay baler comes). but i've managed to see monarchs last year and this year, so i think that's a good sign.

Brian King said...

Between the monarchs and the honey bees, I guess we're in trouble. I haven't seen any monarchs yet this year.

Debbie said...

Good to know, I will be on the lookout!!!!

Jennifer Perry said...

Thank you for this information. We need the monarchs and the bees. I like very much the way you and Olive enjoy your bachelorette time!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i have noticed since i was a kid that there are less monarchs. but i have never understood why? do you think it is due to the milkweed disappearing? i wonder? they are such gorgeous butterflies. i love the VA butterfly. eastern tiger ... a yellow with black stripe. a gorgeous flyer.

hope you & Olive enjoy your "girl time" ... have a real ball. relax & enjoy! ( :

MadSnapper said...

important things first. Olive is just so darn cute.. love the eyes closed standing up.
bird nest are really amazing.. they look like they would fall apart but are really sturdy.. i wish them well.
i have taken many photos getting up inside and behind our bushes, aiming out to see what the camera sees.. Baby girl thinks we can't see her if her head is hidden and she can't see us.
the only time i get white lines is when i copy and paste something from online... i have to change the back ground to black for those white lines. try highlighting the white lines only and change the back ground to black

MadSnapper said...

forgot to say those butterflies are stunning.. we have gulf F but not this type

Unknown said...

Really neat blog post Barb! Those British mysteries are usually pretty good...I'm sure Olive gets deeply involved! We have milkweed down the road and I've always liked them...I just might try to transplate a few!
I am currently trying to save/raise a starling that somehow got out of his nest and there was no way I can put him back...he eats like a little wolf

Gail Dixon said...

Your post makes me want to go plant some milkweed! Have fun with your precious Olive doing the things you love.

Nicki said...

I love those occasions when I am left to my own devices and can watch Orange is the New Black/British Comedy/GameofThrones - whatever, without concern it might get too risque or whatnot - and I can talk to the TV and yell to watch out even though the person on the screen can't hear me and it's pre-recorded, and it's not even real. Yea, I hear ya.

Love those little beaks just above the nest - cool!

Tanya Breese said...

love the photos and i'm laughing at olive trying to stay awake haha...enjoy your bachelorette time together...i wish i could send my husband off on a short trip, i would love a break!