Luna Moth

Luna in the dia...

I have been working in the yard around the house this morning before it got too hot and happened to have a rare experience!

I saw a beautiful Luna moth out of the corner of my eye across the yard. I grabbed my camera because I knew this is a rare moment. This is not the first time I have had the chance to experience this but it has been a few years since I have seen one. They are starting to become endangered in areas.

I feel very fortunate to have seen her today!

I think this one is a female. Her antennae are small. The males have larger ones. Her wings seem to be damaged but she is trying to dry off and fly. We have had lots of rain in the last few days and everything is very wet this morning. She has been moving a little up the bushes and is shaking her wings. I am not sure if she just hatched from her chrysalis and is pumping blood into her wings or if she is just trying to shake off the heavy morning dew.

Sadly she is just going to live about a week. She will not eat, in fact, most moths do not even have a mouth. She will just mate and lay lots of eggs. I hope she has a beautiful short life.

I checked again later and she had flown away. Hopefully she stays safe until tonight when she will meet her mate and dance :)

Here are 2 short descriptions in a little more detail about these beautiful rare creatures...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actias_luna

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/luna_moth.htm

Have an awesome day!

April

FriggleFraggle

Ants in Macro

A few days ago I walked past a big mass of ants that seemed to have been disturbed by something.

It was odd to see because they were in the gravel so I wouldn't have noticed them if they weren't all out at once.

It thought this would be a great time to get the macro lens out and see the little creatures being so active together outside of their secret underground world.

 It was hard not to notice this many ants

 So I took a closer look

They seemed to know what they were doing, where they were going..

They all had a purpose

They were working together to save their community

Ants are amazing little creatures

What is your purpose?

Are you going where you are supposed to be going?

Stop. Pray. Meditate. Listen. 

Do. Be.

Blueberry Farm

Yesterday I went to the farm to see what the state of the blueberries were after the frosty nights we have had.  The bushes are loaded with blossoms but many have been kissed by the frost and won't turn into delicious blueberries :( 

All the little pink blossoms would have been blueberries

These bushes are about 25+ years old 

They stand over 6' tall and about the same wide

This variety is a southern Rabbit Eye

The berries are large and sweet

The poor little brown flowers are the ones that were frosted

These seem to be untouched :)

 These are a variety that are more tolerant of the cold weather

They are called Northern High Bush

These are my favorite kind

They have a strong tart blueberry flavor

We make many smoothies and freeze as many of these as we can

The bushes are much smaller and don't produce as much

as the southern Rabbit eyes

They are only about 5' tall and about 2-3' wide

They are the about the same age as the others

While the Borer bee is very annoying around the house and barn 

They are vital to the blueberries

They help open the blossoms so the honey bees can get to them

and are one of the first pollinators seen at the farm

If you haven't picked blueberries at a farm you should try it at least once

to see how they grow and have a real, fresh blueberry

be warned though:

 you might not be able to eat the store blueberries again ;)

Happy Easter

Today I would like to share some beautiful gifts given to us.

These are all pictures from my yard today.

Feeling thankful

Happy Easter

 Wild Columbine

Double Daffodil

 Creeping Phlox

Red Bud Tree

Snow Ball Butterfly Bush

 Peach Tree Blossoms

Wild Violets and Purple Hen bit

Dogwood (it has just started to open and is still a bit green. 

It will turn white and have pink on the tips)

Dogwood Legend

Photo from google

Natural Beauty

 I try to stop, pay attention and really take in the unique qualities of each thing we are given everyday. Some people walk right past them. Either too busy to notice or think they will be there to enjoy later. But that later may never come.

Enjoy what you have because it may not be the same the next time you want or need it.

This could be your only opportunity.

Seize the day. 

Take the Dandelion for example.

It starts out as a little green leaf and grows a beautiful bright yellow flower.

It looks like a little sun in the yard. Attracting bees and butterflies.

Then it transforms.

It grows old.

Does anyone pay attention to that beautiful flower anymore?

It is now just a dull weed to some.

To others it is a WISH.

It is a dream in a little puff ball.

It is still just as beautiful as the flower.

You chose how you want to see it.

I choose to see the beauty.