The days continue to be warm and humid with an occasional thunderstorm. On my way inside one day as one of these storms began, I discovered both tussock moth caterpillars and monarch butterfly caterpillars on the milkweed. I hope that we will eventually see a monarch emerge from a cocoon, but it's not looking too promising right now. Despite our best efforts, the tussocks outnumber the monarchs 100/1. Also, there have been two more eggs added to the sparrows nest and the mama is sitting on them. The day lilies and tiger lilies continue to bloom as well as the marigolds and daisies. (And the beetles continue to feast on them.) Many butterflies are fluttering by-especially around the tiger lilies. It's a beautiful time of year.
Here are a few of the things I saw this week during a Second Look.
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| Day lily |
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| Black swallowtail on tiger lily |
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| Hibiscus buds |
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| Tiger swallowtail on tiger lily |
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| Marigolds |
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| Day lily |
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| Left: Monarch caterpillar eating from behind. Right: Tussock caterpillars eating, eating, eating. |
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| Sparrow's nest. Two eggs and more feathers have been added since last week. |
