Hello, Stranger!

After I dropped Jax off at daycare this morning, I decided to spend some time poking around in the garden.  First thing I found was a big black fuzzy caterpillar that will eventually become a Giant Leopard Moth, one of our more striking moths.  And then...then I spotted this big beauty!

It has been several years since I've seen an American Oil Beetle in our garden, so it was deserving of photos.  Luckily, they are extremely slow moving creatures and this one even more so because it was still in the 40's F.  The tricky thing is that, if they feel threatened (as in if you pick one up and squeeze it or something) it will emit a toxic oil that causes painful burns to the skin of predators (or foolish photographers).  I do not know this from experience, only anecdotally.  Whenever I discover something new, I proceed with some caution until I know more about it.  This one was slowly munching on some of the leaves on my clematis (finally, I've found something useful for this pretty plant) and would drop off into the dark mulch when I moved the leaves too much.  Which resulted in all kinds of gyrations to get it back up on the vine without actually touching it.  Thank goodness no one can see except Hubs and he just shakes his head and continues on his way.  

Breaking News:  I went out after I posted this and discovered this female engaged in (gasp) sex!  And you know I can never pass up some bug porn.  Do have a look at Extra!

I also saw a hummingbird in the garden this morning (getting late for them) and a warbler that I haven't firmly identified but suspect may be a Pine Warbler.  I only got one crappy picture.  I did some more digging in my small pollinator garden (phlox removal) and put two more swamp milkweed plants in the ground there.  I can't wait for next spring!  

We got six cords of firewood delivered today.  If you are wondering, that's a sh**load of wood that now has to be stacked and covered.  But the woods looks nice and dry and should burn well, which will keep our propane bill lower this winter.  Not to mention that all of the animals love laying in front of the fire.

Phoebe ventured downstairs while Hammerhead was running this morning, but Charlie wants nothing to do with it.  Not yet, anyway.  I'm impressed with how much hair and dirt it picks up - not to mention how much I enjoyed pottering around outside while the house was being vacuumed!

Hoping that all my friends in FL stay safe.  This storm is going to be deadly if it slows down to a crawl as it's predicted to.  The forecasts are calling for up to 15 inches of rain in some areas on the western coast (where we used to live) and then there are the storm surges which will be huge.  Several people I know in the area of direct hit have already evacuated, thankfully.  And hopefully everyone will hunker down and stay safe.  

I'm thinking dark with salted caramel today.

xo
Debbi