When I woke at 0530 this morning it was too early to fill seed bowls.
That would have inhibited a return to slumber, so I took a few quick snaps and stopped at the milkweed for a headcount.
As of last night, the daily count has once more begun.
While I refuse to call it time-wasting, it certainly can become time-consuming.
The butterfly I saw a few days ago must have deposited quite a few eggs.
To our surprise last night, we discovered the early appearance of Monarch caterpillars.
The count of no less than six was impressive.
But what happens now is that every time I pass the milkweed, I am compelled to check that they are all still accounted for.
At 5:30 this morning….
Just a few day lilies fighting for space.
Caterpillars certainly move around and they aren’t that easy to spot, what with all the bees and the current high-density of leaves.
It was chilly overnight and maybe the caterpillars hide.
There are certainly predators and with the deer (presumably) chomping away at random, one worries!
One (being me) counts and checks and hopes they will become fat fast and turn themselves into cocoons.
When we went out at ten o’clock, we were able to find four, three of which had disappeared by the time I did afternoon top-ups.
It’s going to be a long summer…
Such a glorious day was bound to see us exploring once again, so we set off for Tomhannock reservoir, taking a cross-country route.
It being Father’s Day we encountered two or three cars.
One could hardly complain.
We headed south, toward Troy. Grant had gone there to collect something once and we came upon the reservoir unexpectedly.
That day was cold and bleak. I may have mentioned, a time or two that I love the frozen countryside.
But variety is good and I enjoy the visual changes.
There wasn’t much one could find wrong about today with no humidity and a cool breeze.
It was as near perfect as you could get.
We found ourselves back at the Hoosick River
Growing abundantly, everywhere: wild parsnip
It is invasive and can cause skin problems and it is not good for wild-stock.
Nearby I saw this pretty butterfly.
Coming and going
It is compulsory to photograph rail tracks.
In a matter of weeks the corn will be high and it will all look different again
New York has a lot of ups and downs
Braving the heavy traffic, we continued…
Tomhannock reservoir is man-made. When full it contains 12.3 billion US gallons of “excellent quality” water. Fishing is allowed 🙁
In today’s stiff breeze, Grant said the fish would be safe at the bottom. He knows about these things.
Overhanging the water, lots of sumac.
Sumac, apparently is in the cashew family.
There are many kinds, including one that is poisonous.
Last Fall we saw lots of dark red cones. Now there is a profusion of yellow. Is it the same? I’m not sure.
There seems to be a profusion of most things at the moment, with resulting confusion for me.
With one thing and another, it’s hard to keep up.
There is a bridge at the narrow end of the reservoir and we watched swallows darting out to catch flying insects, but they were too fast for me.
We stood listening to the wind and enjoying the sun. Warm but not hot.
Then we found a different route home.
It was all perfectly lovely, but for one thing..
Passing through a small community we noticed some flags that have become popular.
The message is that someone (who exactly?) should have intercourse with our current president.
While I owe no allegiance to any political party, I find this a little unnecessary and childish in the extreme.
What would happen in Russia if one made this suggestion with reference to Mr Putin?
So that gave me something to mutter and mumble about all the way home.
What hope is there for people who are so disrespectful and contemptuous of each other?
Would it be so difficult to listen to each other’s point of view? To agree on at least the basics?
People these days live in fear of saying something that may offend someone. Words have become all powerful, it seems. A sign in the doctor’s office advises :
“Foul language with not be tolerated!”
But it’s OK to fly a flag telling unknown persons that they should Fuck the president.
Seriously.
Where are we going exactly?
Change the route, it is really horrid! Otherwise, lovely, as always, Carolyn. Thank you.
Joanna
We have a neighbor who flies that very flag. It is appalling. I am not above free use of the F word, am in fact legendary in certain circles, but only in appropriate company. What do parents do when their children see that flag?
We had a glorious day in Missouri today, too, but the heat returns here tomorrow. You make New York look close to Heaven. Beautiful pictures, always!
We’re going to hell in a handcart it would seem!
I am now thinking that ‘Counting Caterpillars’ would be a great name for a blog!
Best wishes, Pete.
Oh, I love your open road … my kind of road trip (and I’m sure Grant also did not complain – no slow drivers ☺️)! Yes, I also love rail tracks … there is just not enough in SA to take photos of (or I’m not in the right place). I’m amazed at how your landscape change so significantly from one season to the other. Great pictures, thanks Carolyn. But oh … the flag story – that’s a bit ridiculous … why on earth?
Indeed. It’s infantile but obviously someone is making money out of it. That is what is really sad 🙁