Sunday, August 23, 2020

All the News That's Fit to Print

     In no particular sequence, here are some of the highlights of the past week for Miriam and me.

At the house

     A few years ago we planted Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) at the side of the driveway at the front of our house. It was nibbled right to the ground by pesky rabbits the first year, but since then it has bloomed spectacularly and we have enjoyed it very much.

     Oddly, despite having seen a multitude of pollinators using it, neither of us had ever seen a Monarch (Danaus plexippus), a butterfly dependent on milkweed, on the plant,  In early summer this year, however, we did see Monarchs frequenting it, and they displayed all the behaviours of a female seeking to lay eggs. It was unusual enough of an observation that before leaving in the car to run errands, I went back into the house to fetch Miriam so that she could see what I had discovered.

     We were never able to locate eggs, but here is proof positive of the outcome, a Monarch caterpillar in a late instar feeding on the leaves.

   
       Hooray, we said!

     And to add to the elation of the moment this striking Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) was spotted too.

     I have no doubt we said Hooray again!

     A male Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) seldom seems to land and we had been unable to get a picture. One morning, to our surprise on opening the front door, one was perched on the brick of the porch and we were finally able to fill in the gap in our photographic record for this species.

           A couple of days ago while sitting on the patio having our morning coffee and some of Brian Smith's delicious banana bread we noticed an American Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos) perched on the fence. Usually this species is wary, having little reason to be trustworthy of humans, but this individual seemed quite content to rest for a while. Any thought we might have had that the bird was injured was dispelled as it moved around and walked along the rail. It was very handsome indeed.

          It was a pleasure to share our morning with this intelligent bird.


 

     Miriam has again raised butterflies indoors this year, and much as we have enjoyed the experience, we may rethink how we do it next year, since there is some evidence that it may not be entirely beneficial.

     Nonetheless having already released all our swallowtails, we looked forward with great eagerness to the Monarchs emerging. Many eggs are laid the same day, so it is hardly surprising that butterflies hatch out in the same manner.

      At the left in the picture above you can see a lone chrysalis still a few days away from hatching.

     We are thrilled when these splendid creatures first fly and are never anything less than awed by the process we are privileged to observe.


     One individual landed on Miriam's blouse, and then on her finger before flying off.


     It was a fitting farewell.

Ottawa

     We spent a couple of days visiting Caroline and Andrew in Ottawa, spending most of our time on their patio, admiring all the work they have done in their backyard, but Miriam, Caroline and I did take a walk through a local woodland.

     A pond covered in Duckweed (Lemnoideae) deep in the forest was very attractive, and I was surprised that neither Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) nor Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) have yet discovered it.

     There were many fungi throughout, especially in moist areas as you might expect, and I am reasonably sure this is a species of Amanita.


     Mushrooms are not my strong point, so if anyone can confirm the ID feel free to do so.

     In the meantime, I will do a little research into the species below to see if I can come up with a name for them.




   Identified by two members of iNaturalist as Lobster Mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum) on 28 August 2020

   So many species of Yew (Taxaceae) found in Eastern North America are hybrids of species imported by settlers from Europe that they beggar identification.


RIM Park, Waterloo, ON

     Of late, when Friday morning comes around, we look forward to meeting Heather and Lily, to take a walk together. To tell you how thrilled we are to be able to share in Lily's life in this manner would require a chapter to itself!

     Having parked our car we noticed a sculpture across the road that we have never seen before, although it is somewhat weathered and obviously not new.

     Clearly it represents ears of corn and it would be interesting to know why and by whom it was installed here.

     A flock of Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) was perched in a tree nearby.


     Not long into our walk Heather spotted a large Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) basking on the road, and obligingly it stayed for a while before slithering off into the grass. 




     Lily will not remember when she encountered her first snake!

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a widespread invasive plant, whose flower is very attractive both to the human eye and to pollinators - especially bumblebees (Bombus spp.) it seems. The colour of the inflorescence on this plant seemed even more beautiful than usual.


     For the first time on our walks, Lily was a little fussy this morning, so mom carried her for a while.

     That feels better!

     RIM Park meanders alongside the Grand River and in places is characterized by classically tranquil scenes of bucolic perfection. We had never before seen artists painting it, and wondered why.

     Here is a view that begs for the interpretive skill of an artist's brush. Imagine for a moment what a French impressionist could have done with that!

     Following comforting moments with Heather, Lily fell asleep, hair askance and blowing bubbles.

     How cheerful and smiley she was when she woke up.

     It is fascinating to watch this precious little girl develop each week and clearly she is now moving her eyes to follow things or people she sees.

      I wonder what changes we might notice by next Friday.

Three Bridges Road, St. Jacobs, ON

     There is a small pond on Three Bridges Road where on one occasion, just before freeze-up, it was filled with Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser). Since then we have seen very little there although we always check as we go by.

     Imagine our delight, therefore, when we spotted both a Great Egret (Ardea alba) and a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), the two species feeding alongside each other.



     All in all, it has been a pretty good week I would say!

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

82 comments:

  1. That was an extraordinarily beautiful week. The pictures are phenomenal...prize-worthy! And so are the written words. : )

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  2. I'm so impressed about your butterflies, David. It must be fun to watch them so close. The Monarch is so beautiful.
    Lovely Lily!

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  3. A wonderful week! Thanks as always for your excellent photos.

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  4. Black is beautiful! I mean the black, handsome crow on the fence, in your picture.
    The lovely butterfly on Miriam's finger, makes me think of a 'thank you' kiss or hug to the person that has raised it.

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  5. I would class that as an absolutely excellent week, David, on so many fronts! Very much enjoyed seeing and reading this post - so full of heartening cheer.

    How long was that Garter Snake? - would love to have seen it.

    A final question - you state that you might re-think the rearing of butterflies for next year as "it may not be entirely beneficial". Can I ask why?

    My very best wishes to you both - - - Richard

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    1. I would estimate around 120 cm, Richard, probably the longest I have seen. According to the literature on this species maximum length is around 137 cm. As for the butterflies, there is some research that indicates that being removed from normal circadian influences by being kept inside, some species may lack normal survival skills when released. It seems to be particularly true that Monarchs raised indoors may have their navigational abilities compromised when not exposed to the night sky. I think we can devise a way to raise them outside while still having the pleasure of observing the incredible cycle of development from egg to butterfly. We have already started to talk to a friend of ours who is an entomologist by training.

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    2. I now seem to remember that you'd previously mentioned concerns about indoor rearing of butterflies, David. I guess that the situation is potentially more serious for migratory species like Monarch than it is for resident species, but that there's still risk of survival skills of resident species to be impaired too.

      I tried raising butterflies outside once, and had a problem when a cat (ours) tore through the netting and allowed the caterpillars to escape. Fortunately the caterpillars liked honeysuckle - and that's where, after a lot of searching, I found all (12, if I remember correctly) of them. Perhaps you'll need to guard against this sort of problem?

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    3. We will research it well before doing it, Richard, and will at all times keep the welfare of the butterflies uppermost. In the case of the swallowtails we released earlier there is no question that we rescued them from predation by wasps, but one could make a valid argument, of course, that we interfered with the food chain! Like life in general, I suppose, easy, foolproof solutions are hard to come by!

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  6. Wow I love the grey heron and that white egret!So nice to see both of them together!Wonderful!

    I think you must have had a lovely week with alot of sunshine and fun with great pictures
    Lily looks beautiful :)))

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  7. Definitely a good week, good news about the caterpillar! We let Ragwort grow in our lawn this year and we've had lots of Cinnabar Moth caterpillars devouring it. Babies change so quickly in those first few months don't they, it'll be wonderful to watch Lily do so and become more aware of the things on your walks!

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  8. Any week with a sweet baby is good, awesome, even.

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  9. Super pour tous ces papillons!
    Un beau corbeau, j'en vois et entends souvent passer au dessus de chez moi.
    Joli serpent, je préfère les couleuvres que les vipères, c'est moins dangereux.
    Lily aura le temps de faire d'autres rencontres.
    Les champignons sont jolis mais à ne pas mettre dans une omelette haha.
    La sculpture est jolie, c'est sympa de l'avoir mis ici.
    Bonne soirée

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  10. Poetically speaking Miriam had a hand in the birthing process of several butterflies. Perhaps one of them was giving a little thank you by landing on her blouse and finger before flying off. As for Lily, she is a photogenic little star!

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  11. Yes, it as great week indeed for you and Miriam to be able to see such beauty in nature and then to share time with family. When I started this post I was enjoying the at home photos, but then found more enjoyment in the ones that followed on your outing. We had also raised monarchs one year when living in NJ. It as truly a joy to watch them develop and then to set them free and a couple from our fingertips as well. So nice to see the outings that Lily is experiencing and even though she won't recall them n great detail, you will have the photos to share later as she grows.

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    1. You are right, Beatrice, she will not remember the details of these early walks, but I am quite sure that in the same way as she will learn speech she will learn the sounds of nature, and will absorb the fragrances and drink in the sights too. I did this with my own daughter when she was little, and even though she had a period when she drifted away from it (never entirely), she is now recommitted all over again.

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    2. David, I thank you for your recent comment on our Wolfeboro, NH anniversary getaway trip. It was enjoyable. Your harping on the use of plastic disposables while well taken was unnecessary. The treat was from a take-away and these do not provide silverware or plates. The plastics were recycled as we do steadfastly in our own home. Your viewpoints are valid, but not at all necessary to make a stand in such a manner. As humans, we all have many steadfast opinions and shortcomings at times.

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    3. Take the time to read about recycling, Beatrice. Only 8% to 15%, depending on the jurisdiction and the product, is ever recycled. There is simply not the industrial capacity to do it. Some of the stuff we set out for recycling is sent overseas, most of it makes its way to the landfill, a small percentage is recycled. Our oceans are full of this stuff and the problem is getting worse not better. With great respect, it seems like a lame excuse to say it was our treat, and if pollution is the result then that's the way it is. Unless consumers refuse to use this stuff it is never going to end. A friend of mine, based in Hong Kong, was recently on a scientific expedition to Antarctica and plastic pollution was everywhere. You may classify my comments as "harping on." Perhaps people said that about early abolitionists. The expression of one's conscience as a means to enhancing the public good seems to me to be ill-categorized as "harping on."

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    4. You have made your point, David. Thank you.

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  12. Hi David! 'A pretty good week' - that's an understatement to say the least! Your monarch butterflies are gorgeous, well done on being god-father to so many beautiful creatures. You saw so many beautiful animals and birds and flowers, what a treat. That crow is gorgeous. The fungus is an amanita, I think the white ones are, too, they come in all colours - pretty and poisonous! They grow here a lot in autumn. And the star of the show has to be sweet Lily again, what a little treasure! I'll say goodnight now, I'm off to bed. Have a nice afternoon / evening. Hugs, Valerie

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    1. I think we need to gather some of these poisonous mushrooms and make an omelette for certain politicians!

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    2. Best idea yet! The fungus is called 'Fliegen Pilz' - fly fungus in German. People used to soak pieces in milk to kill flies and other bothersome creatures....

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  13. The brightness of the wings of those butterflies is stunning, love the photos David. And oh the sweetness of little Lilly, she is gorgeous!

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  14. What a wonderful week you had. The butterflies are gorgeous with all the pretty details on their wings. The photos are stunning, David and thank you for sharing.

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  15. You really have had a great week, a joy to read your post and I loved your photographs ... especially sweet Lily.

    Hope your weekend has been a good one, enjoy whatever the new week may bring.
    My good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  16. Either you are a master of understatement or you are seriously spoilt.
    Your pretty good week looks completely spectacular and wonderful to me.
    Thank you for answering the questions I had about raising butterflies indoors in response to Richard.
    Conservation is always a delicate path - and frequently a minefield as well. Sadly.

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  17. I run for my life when I see ANY snake! I enjoyed it all tho, spending the week with y'all...LOVED the beautiful crow!! Thanks, as always for sharing (linking up) at IRBB.

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    1. That garter snake is pretty benign, Anni. I have been bitten by a garter snake and you barely feel it. I have been bitten by a chipmunk, considered very cute by most people, and it hurts like hell! Snakes just have a bad rap!

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  18. Lily is just so adorable!!! My godchild is also named Lily and she is 3 now and is also so adorable! Thank you for sharing these memories with us. I really adore that crow which looks a lot larger and fuller than the crows here in our country. Those butterflies are also a treat to the eyes.

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  19. I agree, you did have a great week. :) so much of interest going on both wildlife and Lily. The Monarch is so beautiful and very interesting butterfly. The black crow is a beauty. We don´t have that one. :( The pond covered in Duckweed is very beautiful. I think it is a bit too small for the ducks. :)
    Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Hari OM
    Definitely a good one - I do love a Corvid so am a little envious of your company! YAM xx

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  21. I've seen an egret once in my life! And my look for my blue heron every time I go to the post office. I have not seen many crows in the last several years. I've read that the Covid quietness has brought more species closer.

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  22. Good evening dear David, welcome back home! you have had a week plenty of beauty. Bunnies are so beautiful, they fill my heart with tenderness; The birds and the butterflies bring me emotion and joy.
    Going through here is like a little break in Paradise for me, the butterfly farm ... what a beauty please! it´sery interesting the tasks that these animals carry out in nature and also contemplating them give me a heavenly sensation.
    Everything has been wonderful this week, great. Family, daughter, friends, adorable baby Lily. You are all very loving. Except the viper and the raven: alert in the forest!!
    I am grateful that you contribute to making this world a better place with so much energy and love. Greetings to Ontario from my little house in the Forest of Magical Roses🥕🥕🐰🐇🤗🐰😍🦋🦋🦋🦋

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  23. Hi David :) What a great post...where to start? I love that you have a Monarch caterpillar. That is awesome. We have lots of butterflies here, but I can't name them. I plan to plant a large butterfly garden in the next few years once we settle a little more. The crow photos are spectacular! Look at all that nice fungi! :) I think that corn sculpture is amazing! What a nice photo of the Great Egret and the Great Blue Heron together! Beautiful photos! Thanks so much for sharing! :)

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  24. I will miss not seeing theMonarchs released this year like last year, but at least I saw it that once — twice actually.

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  25. What a lovely week you've had and what lovely people you had to share it with!

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  26. How wonderful to have that butterfly on Miriam's finger, saying 'thank you' and' good bye' :)
    Snake oh gosh, but it went along it's merry way.
    The fungi are always interesting to see and that crow, well it is a lovely one.
    Take care.

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  27. Hi David.

    I enjoyed all the beautiful animals and especially the butterflies that you show us.

    But lilly is the top of your series, those hairs so nice.

    Thanks for sharing I enjoy it.

    Greetings from Patricia.

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  28. The crow appears in the movie Game of Thrones.

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  29. Ha sido un paseo sumamente gratificante y bello amigo David. Preciosas mariposas y bellas plantas acompañadas de la gratificante sonrisa de Lily que anula toda belleza que pueda existir a su alrededor, que niña más encantadora y guapetona. Es todo un placer leerte y gracias por compartir esos momentos tan entrañables y felices y ese paisaje lleno de exuberante vegetación incluido el pequeño lago.
    Un fuerte abrazo mi querido amigo y compadre.

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  30. Hello, Looks like a great week. Lily steals the show on this post, she is adorable. Love the Crow, Monarch, Egret and Heron, beautiful nature photos. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great week!

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  31. A perfect week indeed.

    There is a concerted effort to bring monarchs back to this island. I haven’t heard of any progress this year. You both did a great job!

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  32. Hi David wow what a great week ,Miriam did so well with the beautiful butterflies and gee those yellow toadstool are amazing ,and I swear your baby grand daughter gets cutier every time we see her,hope your day is a good one,stay safe .

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  33. You have had a remarkable week. I love every photo here except the snake. I'll pass on the snake! But oh, the butterflies, the close-up of that crow, the lovely time in Ottawa and a Lily sighting! Herons and egrets and monoarch! Oh My! It's a beautiful world and you know how to find it.

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  34. Looks like a great week to me with the highlight been the wonderful Lily, how blessed you are.

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  35. Excellent week I would have said, a great close up of the Garter snake. Sorry I am not visiting so often but our WiFi is slower than slow at present and to visit your blogs it is taking me anything between 15 and 30 mins to download each blog, It is pathetic and very frustrating. It is varying between 0.1 and 0.3 !!!!!!!
    Keep safe, Diane

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  36. Wonderful neighborhood walks in the countryside ...definitely not typical urban jaunts. How fortunate you all are. Lily may not remember her first encounter with a snake, but she will certainly absorb the love of nature and the lack of fear!

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  37. colorful of caterpillar, bug and butterflies...attractive and lovely.

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  38. You both have such sharp eyes nothing misses your cameras. I do like the way that the beautiful Monarch butterfly bid Miriam farewell. However, Lily has to have the top spot, she really is a lovely child, especially with her very cute hair style.

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    1. It was somehow poetically fitting that the Monarch should act as he/she did (I can't tell unless the wings are outspread), wasn't it? As for Lily, we are looking forward to seeing her again on Friday.

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  39. You had a wonderful week, indeed. he south Florida Monarchs are a non-migratory population. They are attracted by Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica). Some experts are concerned that it contributes to the spread of a protozoan disease because the leaves persist between seasons and the agent multiplies and infects subsequent generations. Others say that migratory butterflies may delay migration because of its abundance beyond the normal life cycle of native milkweed.

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  40. I smiled to see the crow. I began hearing them call yesterday, and today the volume went up considerably. I grew up thinking of them as "rain ravens." The old folks all claimed that they cry betokened rain. We do have a hurricane on our doorstep, so perhaps it's true.

    I enjoyed seeing the snake, as well. I think their faces are so intelligent and appealing. As for that duckweed carpet, I found the same yesterday -- with several birds for you to enjoy as soon as I get their photos up.

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  41. Nie wiem czym się najpierw zachwycać! Powinieneś podzielić post tematycznie ;-) Maleństwo cudne, a fryzurę ma nieziemską.
    Motyle piękne! Dla mnie to egzotyka!
    Grzyby, ptaki, las - cudownie!

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  42. Fantástica semama habéis pasado amigos con Familia, bebés, mariposas y animales. Asi da gusto parar los días.
    Una entrada muy amena David.
    Buen martes. Cuidaros.
    Un abrazo.

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  43. Lily is the cutest and the American Crow is really very handsome. Very interesting photos!
    This is the third time I try to write a comment: Every time I start browsing Miriam's beautiful Fabric Face Masks... and forget to come back. :)
    The items made by her look very beautiful and well-made.

    Take care!!

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  44. Hi Both,
    How wonderful to have those beautiful Monarch Butterflies in your front drive, keep up the good work in getting them re-established. Excellent fungi images on the family visit, and so good to see little Lily out on another trip, I'm sure she won't remember her first encounter with the Garter Snake but Miriam's image is all the proof require in the future. Good image of the Great White.
    You both stay safe and well.
    Esteemed Keeper of the Owls

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  45. All that in one week?! Your life is more exciting than ours at the moment. I’m interested to hear why it might not be beneficial to raise butterflies and release them. It was a favorite activity of my children in the summer and we released quite a few. Lily’s hairdo made me smile. What a precious little girl.

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    1. See the responses to Richard Pegler above, Cynthia.

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  46. You made the crow look like a pretty bird! I know they are intelligent but never think of them as pretty. Hope the snake picture was taken with a zoom lens. Yikes! And that hair on Lily after she woke up, made me smile. Hope you are having a happy Tuesday!

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    1. The snake was close enough I could have picked it up.

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  47. Una preciosa entrada y seguro que estabas muy feliz con tan lindas compañías. La seta creo que es Amanita pantherina que es muy venenosa. Abrazos para todos y besitos para esa niña tan bonita.

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  48. Hoi David, prachtig wat 'n mooie natuurserie, ook de insecten staan er mooi op.
    Groet kees.

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  49. Hello David and Miriam, great succes with the butterflies. Great job and finding also the caterpillar of the Great Monarch is wonderful. Taking pictures of a black bird is difficult. You succeeded for 100%. The visit and walk with Lily and her mum seems wonderful. The snake is wonderful. And with the photos of the mushrooms you tell us Fall is on its way. I also do not know much of these things so I can not help you with the names. I enjoyed your blog very much thank you David.
    Regards,
    Roos

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  50. Hi david,
    marvelous to see these young monarch butterflies come out and watch them from close-by. And I can imagine the joy when you saw a monarch-caterpillar in your milkweed. More to come!
    I can also imagine you cherish the joy of seeing your daughter and grandchild at a weekly base.

    Best regards, Corrie

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  51. The crow is particularly photogenic.

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  52. Hello My friend David,
    first of all, my apologies for the late response. As you already know, it was very hot in the Netherlands and I really can't stand that. I am far too far behind with reading and responding. Although I have seen several blogs of yours I have not responded * sorry for that *.
    Here you show very nice pictures and I find the pictures of Lily very endearing. She has a nice cup with her :-)))
    Juliie had a good time there and also seen a lot.
    Be careful and stay safe.
    Love from me
    Helma xx

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  53. Great nature shots. Especially the crow. I like crows for their intelligence too. I even wrote an unpublished novel called: Chorus of Crows.

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  54. hello David
    I learned something again, very nice report with accompanying pictures, as I could see the first camera for Lily is due soon, ...
    greetings Frank

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  55. Wow, great assortment of photos, and I enjoyed reading your commentary for all of them. This year, I have seen several beautiful butterflies in my yard (and always when I didn't have my camera with me): a yellow one and a blue one, both about the same size as your gorgeous orange monarchs. This year I had planted a few flowering plants that are supposed to attract butterflies, but with the drought we've had, and me unable to keep up with watering them once I started doing storm clean up, my plants aren't doing so well.

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  56. Great photos David. The crows we have here in Australia are very intelligent but seem to interact well with people. Cute pictures of Lily :)

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  57. I love your story about last week, David. Nature gives us peace and quiet.
    Butterflies are beautiful, there are so many of them, I have never seen in one place. I liked the blue heron, it is the king of the pond, one can see who he is from his position.
    The little girl is so cute, you are right, the children change every week, they grow very fast.
    I love Impatience, but the only Himalayan variety I have never seen, it is a beauty.

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  58. No ha podido ser más fructífera, sobretodo en fotografías, no ha faltado de nada en tu reportaje. Planta , insectos y aves han mostrado su belleza y ese niño pequeño ha llenado de ternura sus fotografías.

    Besos

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  59. You have had a pretty good week, and Lily is so precious! Love all your photos, especially the crow. Your joy of nature and life shows in all that you write. Thank you for the nice complement about my writing and photographs.

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  60. I always learn so much from your posts including putting names to some of the things around me here off 9th line, Beckwith, Ontario. Despite the human condition we are in, I do feel the feathered and winged creatures have had a wonderful summer. Thanks for all the glorious photos for reference.

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    1. Thanks so much, Jocelyn. Nothing is more satisfying than to know that people learn from my blog.

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  61. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  62. Hi David - missed this one - but got here eventually ... so glad to see your thoughts on the butterflies and also to see Lily a little younger than one of your most recent posts. So glad you had that time with Caroline and Andrew.

    Thanks for the nod towards my 'about' ... I was convinced I'd amended it - but perhaps I never clicked the 'save' button - still done now. Take care - Hilsty

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  63. Hi David,
    Fantastic Post.
    So great to see this all by the house! Very stunning the Monarchs love it to see the hole process!! And than the snake!
    Nice picutres of Lily and Mom, great family moments!
    Best regards, Maria

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