The dog and butterfly

Hey, turn out that light we're trying to sleep up here. 

It was night time when I arrived home this evening so the dog and I walked in the darkness.  We started in the back yard and as soon as I pointed the flashlight up I saw something shining in the pine tree in my back yard.  A big limb from the pine tree is being pulled down close to the ground by all the pinecones it has on it.  When I got close I could see that what I was seeing was a Gulf Fritillary butterfly.  It was roosting in the pine needles of the the tree for protection.  I did some research and found that this butterfly likes to lay it's eggs on the passion flower plant.  There are plenty of passion flower plants in and around my yard so that works out good for the butterfly.  The caterpillar of the Fritillary has a very orange body with shiny black spikes sticking out of it on all sides.  The caterpillars are a big problem for people like me who like to grow passion flowers in pots.  They can just about eat up the eatable leaves of a passion vine in one day.  I avoid this problem by starting my passion flowers early so my plant are finished producing by the time the butterflies arrive.  After looking at the Fritillary the dog and I walked on up to the watermelon field which is nearly covered with weeds now.  The owners will most likely go in and pick the good melons over the next day or so.  The good ones will be sold on labor day at a premium.  The leftovers will be going for next to nothing the day after labor day.   That is supply and demand in action.  Thanks for reading my blog tonight.  Have a great evening.  Bye.

When all else fails look mean

 



I am going to give you such a pinch. 

 This morning when the dog and I walked outside we experienced the shock that comes from a sudden and pleasant change in the weather.  A dry air mass has pushed the humid air away and the temperature this morning was in the high 60s with very low humidity.  The dog was as chipper as he could be.   He wears a very heavy fur coat all the time so when the temperature falls he gets giddy.  We walked down the east end of the road and found our good friends the crawfish there waiting on us.  I saw two where I took my photo. They were making their way to a basin at the end of the culvert where they will probably be looking for mates. The one I photographed looked as though he did not appreciate my attention.  Those little claws can pinch you very painfully so I keep my fingers out of their reach.   I am sure there will be many of these little folks moving down into the basin today as this is their season.   The raccoons know the seasons as well and they will show up soon  and have a feast.   Well good luck little crawfish and watch out for furry fellows with masks on.   Thanks for dropping in.  Bye