Web glowing at dawn

Outside the breakfast window, a large orb web has been freshly constructed.  Condensation from the roof drips past it and moisture on the silk is catching the early light.  Finches and chickadees are up. 

Threatening clouds moved in mid-morning.  In the grocery parking lot, (without a camera) I saw a monarch banging against an amber tail light that was glowing from reflected light.  Was it trying to feed, mate, or fight?  It gave up after a half dozen sorties. 

The pin oak is gone.  Mr Brooks showed me an emerald ash borer he'd captured, a beautiful insect to be so destructive.  In other sad news, a cardinal fledgling broke its neck on a patio window.