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An arborist once told us that the big Silver Maple (that I like to think of as the guardian of this property) could be a hundred plus years old. How the world has changed in those years, including the land surrounding the stately tree…but the tree has many more years to live, so what seems like a long lifetime in human years may just be middle age for the tree. With a life expectancy of, say, 200 years, human perspective would surely be altered.
My caterpillar friend has completed its metamorphosis and emerged in what I know must be an amazing new form. Unfortunately, I didn’t see when it actually departed the confines of its chrysalis. I suppose that, generally speaking, the likelihood of witnessing that event is low…but I had still hoped.
Instead of marinating in my disappointment, I choose to be glad that the winged creature was able to successfully make that incredible change and leave, to begin life anew. I’ve seen some lovely butterflies that could be that elusive changeling. What do you think?
I’ve been trying for some time now to photograph the Monarchs that flit about the pastures. They always seem to foil my hasty photographic attempts by flying off as soon as I almost have the shot lined up on my phone – and they won’t let me get very close, adding challenge to an already difficult endeavor. Today, though, this one let me get close enough for this photo. Maybe it was under the spell of the red clover nectar it was sampling…but regardless of the reason, I seized the opportunity, gladly. It’s butterfly season here: all sizes, shapes, and colors mingle in the pastures. And each one is welcome.
A big, buzzing bumblebee was making the rounds among the honeysuckle while I harvested other plants. It visited many flowers, but seemed interested in only a few. A picky bee, it seems!
Sometimes, just when you think you can predict how your day’s going to play out, you find out you’re wrong…and in a very surprising way. And when it happens, it shifts your perception in a way that can really be recharging.
The goldenrod is blooming! Pollinators are busily working the plentiful blooms, a favorite of the Pennsylvania Leatherwing Beetles (also known as Goldenrod Soldier Beetles). With Autumn now upon us, it felt like it was time to start another batch of this special wine.