Mythic Moth
Check out this moth that was just outside my door this morning. It’s a polyphemus moth. Beautiful to have such a surprise, no? I don’t know why the moth it got its name, and I’m too lazy at the moment to research it further, but Polyphemus is a cyclops from Greek mythology. You know, a one-eyed monster. This moth does have eye spots, but it’s got more than one obviously.
The moth is quite large, which is also what makes it so beautiful. Here it is beside my hand. I know I don’t have big hands, but still….
I’ve let it rest here for the day
and hope it flies away,
finds its way,
carries on with its moth business tonight.
© Lizann Flatt, www.lizannflatt.com
No part of this blog may be used without written permission from the author.
No part of this blog may be used without written permission from the author.
Pansy Personality
Where did the week go? Been wearing the titles chauffeur, spectator, and convalescent this week. About to be immersed in the volunteer world of figure skating for a few days (don’t ask). So just a quick post of these photos snapped within the last couple days.
Some plants just seem to have personality, don’t you think?
© Lizann Flatt, www.lizannflatt.com
No part of this blog may be used without written permission from the author.
No part of this blog may be used without written permission from the author.
Admiring the Admirals
I was also going to call this post: Six Excuses for Not Mowing the Lawn. For reasons which will become obvious.
On Wednesday there were at least six red admiral butterflies on my lawn–erm, the patch of dandelions, violets, clover, wild strawberry, and grass that passes as my lawn. Six! The butterflies were feasting on the dandelion nectar, I guess. I spent some time admiring the admirals.
This is my best shot. Apparently red admirals are one of the earliest butterflies to appear in Ontario each year.
Can you see the six butterflies below? (Click on the photo to see it larger). Scroll down for the answer.
I’ve circled the butterflies I was sure of. Did you get the same ones? (click to make it larger)
And if you really want more, I also made a movie, which you can see at YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYQQRLQttuQ
Unfortunately these butterflies have not reappeared since Wednesday. Maybe that’s because the weather has been dull and rainy and the dandelions are mostly closed up. Maybe they’ve just moved on. What a priviledge to watch these insects for awhile.
More info and some great professional quality shots of eggs, larva, and chrysalis here (select “Life Histories” and then “Red Admiral”:
http://www.porchlight.ca/~richard/
© Lizann Flatt, www.lizannflatt.com
No part of this blog may be used without written permission from the author.
No part of this blog may be used without written permission from the author.
So Random
Random occurances from my world in the last week:
- a porcupine crossed my path (okay, the road…I was in my car, photo below)
- the bittern is back! It makes the weirdest noise, kind of like a tap dripping. I’ll try to record it.
- we had snow, but it’s melted thank gawd. The ferns still look fried though.
- picked the first rhubarb of the season and made an upside down cake for dinner last night
- ate boiled dandelion buds (with butter and salt) and survived. They were actually pretty good although I think I boiled them a bit too long.
- booked my first Skype author visit for next week, eep!
- the other day as I was crossing a plaza parking lot a pickup truck drove past with what every household needs strapped to the box…a huge plastic moose! The things you see in Muskoka, I swear!
That’s a porcupine, honest. I did a U-ey and pulled off on a handy sideroad. Phone photo so it’s not stellar. If you’re reading this on the web (i.e. not RSS) click on the photo to see a bigger version.
All right, now off to the serious business of writing and revising.
© Lizann Flatt, www.lizannflatt.com
No part of this blog may be used without written permission from the author.
No part of this blog may be used without written permission from the author.