They're Making the News

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - "Swarms of insects that look like mutant mosquitoes are invading neighborhoods across the area. Homeowners have been calling mosquito control and Purdue University's extension service asking about the bugs. They are called Crane flies and if you've got them, you can't miss them. "

Yes, it is that bad! Swarms, literally thousands of these Crane flies all across the yard. With each step I take masses of these large mosquito looking bugs fly up from the grass. Every time I open the door to let the dog out they try to get inside. It is terrible! I had no idea what these were or why there were so many of them. I was very glad to read this in the news today, now I know what has invaded Robin's Nesting Place.

Since I'm posting about bugs, I thought I'd share this picture of the moth too.

LAPCPADPOUB

At the invitation of HappyMouffetard, from The Inelegant Garden, a lot of bloggers are posting about their cats today.
'Lets all post cat photos and dire poetry on our blogs' (LAPCPADPOUB*)

I couldn't pass up this opportunity to share a few pictures of my own special kitty, (I'll have to skip the dire poetry part, I'm not feeling that creative tonight.)

Sometimes Libby is aloof like other cats, but most of the time she is very friendly.

She often finds unusual places for her catnaps.






She loves to lay on books, especially if they are open and in my lap.

She loves to roll around in the catnip.




She often sits in my lap while I'm at the computer, trying to lick my fingers as I type. She is my shadow and sleeps beside me at night. She actually comes when I call her. As much as I love her, it is hard to remember that there was a time that I really disliked cats. She has definitely won me over to the cat side.

Buckeye Butterfly

Today I glanced out the window and noticed quite a few painted lady butterflies on the verbena. There were so many of them, that I almost didn't notice the buckeye.

This is the first time I've seen one in my garden! I only had a few minutes to spare before going to work, so I took these photos quickly from the window.




I would've loved to have had more time to take pictures of this lovely visitor.

I'm hoping maybe it will return tomorrow.

Potter's Bridge

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day! One of favorite places locally in the fall is Potter's Bridge. After church, while everyone else was watching the Colts play football, my camera and I took a walk around Potter's Bridge.


The trees are just beginning to change colors and drop their leaves. The reflection on the water was beautiful today. I can't wait until the amazing autumn colors are reflected in the water.


These are huge leaves!

While I was walking I heard a chipmunk making the loudest noise. I stopped in the general direction and looked until I finally spotted it. Even though they're cute, I'm very glad they aren't in my yard here. I had them in Alabama and they were such a menace.

I saw a Woolly Bear caterpillar crossing the path today. There is folklore regarding the coloring of the woolly bear, "More brown than black means a fair winter, but more black than brown means there is going to be a harsh winter". They say it isn't really true, but my feelings won't be hurt one bit if it proves to be accurate this year!

I'm sure I'll be going back frequently now to watch as the leaves change color.

Raising Butterflies

A few days ago Gail, from Clay and Limestone, asked if I could give the details about bringing the caterpillars inside. I am more than happy to share this information, especially if it encourages more people to have this awesome experience.

You can see the container I use in the picture above. It really isn't tall enough when using the fennel, but it still worked. I purchased this at Walmart, but they should be available at any pet store.

I collect the caterpillars as soon as I spot them, (usually the first instar). This year I even started with eggs. Whatever plant I find them on, (parsley or fennel), that is the plant I keep available for them to eat. This year they liked the fennel best, (I only spotted one caterpillar on the parsley all summer). I snip the plant with the caterpillar on it and bring it inside. I have a really small single stem vase that I use, (large openings can cause the caterpillars to drown if they fall in). I place the host plant with the caterpillar on it in the vase. Every couple of days I wash the vase, refill it with water and replenish the food. I place the stem with the caterpillar on it back into the vase. It doesn't take long for it to crawl to the fresh food. I usually take this opportunity to clean out the container too. Caterpillars are prolific poopers and they make quite a mess. Right about the time you think they are too messy and too much trouble is about the time they are getting ready to become a chrysalis, so don't give up, the worst part is almost over.

I had to leave the top of the container open a few times because the fennel was too tall, one day the caterpillar was very restless and I found it crawling on the microwave. I knew it was looking for something to attach to. I picked it up and placed it back on the fennel, closed the lid, and went outside to collect a few small twigs to place in the container. Within minutes it found its way to the stick. Usually I don't wait that long before placing twigs in the container. The caterpillars need something firm to attach too, usually it is a stick, however this year one of them attached to the top of the container.

This is the easy part. Once in the chrysalis stage there is nothing to do but wait for the butterfly to emerge. For me it usually takes anywhere from ten days to several weeks for this to happen. I try to keep the container in a place where I can check it often, (usually the kitchen). As soon as the butterfly emerges and the wings dry a bit, I take it outside and place it on a flower that is popular with the black swallowtails. Of course there is usually a photo session involved.

That is all there is to it. So easy to do and the experience is priceless.