More Tails

Another pristine, two-tailed swallowtail in the garden today.  This time a Spicebush Swallowtail, a garden-first for this summer.  I often forget how many swallowtail species are native to this area - lucky me.  In addition, there were several different skipper species too - all in the swamp milkweed blossoms which were abuzz with bees and great golden digger wasps.  All sufficient to make a bug-lover swoon!

I am happy to report that our upstairs aircon is fixed so we will not need to sleep on the air mattress again tonight.  Actually, it wasn't all that bad although it took Jax a little time to settle.  He finally curled himself up on the sofa which was right above our mattress.  

The day started raining and gloomy but when the sun finally came out it quickly became hot and sticky.  Not all that pleasant for humans but exactly what insects of all kinds adore.  I am finding some very interesting little predators in the rudbeckia right now - several extremely tiny spider species and an interesting little assassin bug of some sort.  Regrettably, my hands just weren't steady enough today for crisp shots of any of them. Maybe tomorrow.  And I will definitely put the monopod to use tomorrow.

Both Hubs and Jax are having some allergy issues today.  In Jax's case, his eyes get goopy which require drops.  Used to be a two-person job but he now lets me put the drops in with very little resistance.  Thank goodness since eye drops will probably be a part of his life forever.  Luckily, they don't need to be administered every day - just when he has a flare up and then just for a day or two.  

I had a pretzel stick that had been dipped in dark chocolate today - it was delicious!

xo
Debbi