Sizzling

A word that pretty much describes the great outdoors today as our high reached 94 F with humidity in the 50's and no clouds.  It was honestly unbearable to be outside for more than 10 minutes at a time.  So I did what any sensible sixty-something would do and I took a nap in our cool, air conditioned bedroom this afternoon.  Jax joined me on his own bed.  

When I went outside briefly later in the afternoon the bird activity was very slow but the bees, wasps and fabulous Hummingbird Clearwing Moths were all in good form.  The butterfly activity is still much less than usual for the time of year but I did find evidence that a monarch had been in the garden when I found a few creamy eggs that I will probably harvest to start my monarch project for this summer.  I already have two chrysalids "brewing" but I didn't find the caterpillars until they were pretty large so I won't know for a while if they've been parasitized by tachinid flies.  Fingers crossed.  

As I write this, thunderstorms are rolling in.  We desperately need rain, so hopefully we'll get at least a little.  I actually had to water part of my garden today - not something I usually need to do since most of my garden is native plants that don't require any coddling.  

I'm looking forward to a couple of play dates I've scheduled for myself this week, including a blip meet on Thursday that should be very fun.  Stay tuned.

xo
Debbi