The creek reflected a gray day. At lunchtime, a pine warbler visited the barkbutter dish. I didn't realize at the time that a fine drizzle was falling. A Carolina wren ate suet until a downy woodpecker pulled rank. Today was much cooler and I did not venture into the water.
Both monarchs eclosed today, which makes me wonder if the black swallowtail pupa died. It's been 33 days, but then I read that it might be set to overwinter.. It also crossed my mind that the monarchs I saw last week might have been from more of the caterpillars that fed on the butterfly milkweed. Curiously, the chrysalis remnants looked white, not jade green. More accurately, the casing appeared to have been clear before being torn open. Anyway, it was nice watching them pump up their wings. I sup[pose they are all headed to Mexico.
I checked on the mabel orchard spider as well as the black swallowtail chrysalis. The spider seemed fine. The canna bloomed again. The Carolina returned for barkbutter but ignored the butterfly inches away. The monarch held quite still. Three moonflowers opened and a few moments of sunshine followed.
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