Butterfly Blogging

Since it's too hot to do anything outdoors, I thought I'd share some of my butterfly pictures. I love taking nature photos. Butterflies are some of the more challenging pics for an amateur like me, because they hate to pose.

First up, Monarchs. They are by far the easiest to photograph. For one thing, they're everywhere here in Florida. And they're here year round. Monarchs in Florida are unique in that they don't migrate. I've found that they also tend to stay still longer than many other butterflies.

The first one was at the Brevard Zoo's Butterflies over Brevard, in Spring 2005. The second at a local nursery's butterfly house. The last one, which we called Wilma, was found in our backyard after a hurricane. The extreme northern tip of Hurricane Wilma came through our area in October 2005. That afternoon, while outside checking for damage, we noticed the butterfly that had just emerged from its chrysalis. We felt Wilma was a most appropriate name.

Next up are two photos of a Gulf Fritillary at Blackpoint Wildlife drive at the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.

This next one looks like a Red-banded Hairstreak. I followed it around the yard for quite a while, and never could convince it to pose beautifully on a flower. I finally took what I could get, which was the side of the air conditioner unit.

And finally, two pretty ones from a summer trip to Tennessee. We were in the Cumberland Gap area for my husband's family reunion.

The first one, I believe, is an Aphrodite Fritillary. No guarantees though. It was taken near the Cumberland Gap Cave.

And lastly, a Pipevine Swallowtail, taken at a little place called Bear Creek.

I hope someone enjoyed these butterfly beauties.

No Signs Of Life Outside.

I stepped out briefly this morning to get the paper, then hurried back in to the comfort of air conditioning. Not a creature was stirring, not even a bird or squirrel, or neighborhood cat. No humans out and about either. The only sound was that of the cicadas singing. The only other sign of animal life was an occasional lizard darting by, probably in search of water.

Temperatures have consistently been in the upper 90's, with heat indices at 102 or higher. No rain in more than a week. I managed to get out from 7pm to 8 pm last night to do a bit of weeding. I pulled out the dead sunflower, and put the seeds in the bird feeder. The birds have been looking for water every day, so I once again filled up the birdbath. I really need to get the Seminole pumpkin seeds in the ground, but can't bring myself to get out there long enough to prepare the plot.

August in Florida is not for the faint of heart.

Freeze Warning!

Brrr! The coldest temperatures since 2003 are expected tonight. Our area isn't expecting a hard freeze, but we are bracing for a freeze. The sensitive plants are covered, potted plants brought in.

I put sheets over the vegetable garden, and just hope it will be okay. Why, oh why did I plant tomatoes? Why didn't I wait until next month? Oh, well. There's nothing to do now but hope.