September

September has dawned hot and humid.
Forecast calls for a high today of 101 F.
 Low tonight is only to be 80F.
We are still in Summer.

Clowns decorate our house in September.
I do love them.

We have a bit of 

Backyard Naturalist activity started.

We have a few inside caterpillar habitats
set up. I have begun our notebooks for 2011.

My husband found the Monarch caterpillar
while weeding this morning.

I found our second Monarch

chrysalis while looking for Black Swallowtail

caterpillars in the Queen Anne's Lace.

We have two Black Swallowtail caterpillars.
One is feeding on fennel the other feeding on Queen Anne's Lace.
It will be interesting to see if the different host plants
create any difference in the butterflies.

There was an Orange Dog, the caterpillar for
the Giant Swallowtail, on the Garden Rue I cut
 for a herb bouquet for the kitchen.

We have begun our Autumn cleaning.
While I hunted for caterpillars my husband washed the windows.
Our roses looked as pretty from the outside of the windows
as they do from the inside.

I spotted a new fig growing on one of our fig trees.
Perhaps I will be able to harvest a few before critters get them.

My theme for September this year is Harvest Home.
Each day we will harvest from our gardens.
Today we will harvest more brussels sprouts.
For supper we will have a garden stir fry with potatoes, onions
carrots and our good brussels.

Each day in September holds a gift.

I am looking forward to untying the ribbons.

Happy September.

Ask and you shall receive

My Moon watch continues.
The waning crescent Moon rose early this morning.
I have been getting up to see her.

When the sun rises the Hummingbirds
 are first to the feeders.

The juveniles fly about all day long.
They are a delight to watch.

The House Wrens fledged their little ones.
Summer birds are busy.

I am enjoying the early morning before
 the day becomes hot and humid.

I have had some trouble telling the Variegated Fritillary

apart from the Tawny Emperor.

I asked Tawny to come in so I could learn
his markings.

I am so grateful he did.

They do look different.
I think I will remember now who is who!

The Eastern Tailed Blues are so tiny.
In the early morning they often open their wings
to warm up. I think they are gorgeous!

I still have a few cone flowers blooming.

The marigolds are doing very well.
The Gray Hairstreak seem to enjoy them.

Native Summer bugs and native Summer birds
are some of the reasons I love Summer.

Friends

I love walking in my backyard!

Well cared for

Our gardens have changed over the years.

We share our space with many different creatures.

Today we stopped our work and watched a
 Black Swallowtail lay eggs in the front fennel.
We were getting ready to remove it but now
we will wait until the caterpillars are finished.

She lays one egg at a time.

We garden for the bugs.

The Surprise Lilies are in bloom.
They opened this morning.
I think they are pretty.
When a butterfly nectars they will be spectacular.

I remember the Lady who gave these to me.
She was an older neighbor who thought they
would look nice in my gardens.

It is about the bugs for me.

It is about growing flowers they need for their eggs.
Making sure I have nectar even in the heat.

August is the beginning of harvest season.
The Full Green Corn Moon is Friday.

I have a few Corn Husk Dolls out now
and more will follow in September.

I collect them.

My friend saw Mammoth teeth while at an
estate sale.
She knew I would love them.

She also picked up a couple of silver bolo tie holders.

I love these darlings.
I think they will go perfect on a scarf.

I am well cared for.
I have thoughtful friends and loving family.
I have lots of Summer bugs.
Tonight we are planting seeds under
the waxing Moon.
We are planting now
so the bugs have food in October.

In the line of duty

I am rising with the dawn and

enjoying these Summer days.

The birds are up early too.

They follow their own inner way.

The bird seed sunflowers by my office window are ripening.

I enjoy watching the Gold Finches pluck seeds from the heads.

A Tawny Emperor warmed on the glass.

It was cooler today.

The rain went south.

We attended the dedication ceremony of the new Police Academy.

It is named in honor of my cousin.

He died in the line of duty in 1978.

It was a moving dedication.

His family cut the ribbon.

His family and the community honored him.

I thought about my service.

I thought about what I have given in the line of duty.

I am following the Moon.

I am following my passions.

I am following the Golden Rule.