SKY WATCH

A favorite spot for me to visit is the Wetlands Institute. There is lots to see inside, but I have often spent my time out of doors. The gardens are really wonderful, and often full of butterflies - my favorites. Behind the building, a long trail runs through the wetlands to the water.
















A year or two ago I found a whole tree full of swallows along the trail.














The next picture was not taken at the Wetlands Institute,
but I think it may be appropriate to include it, since it is
so like the tree full of swallows.











This one is a tree full of turkey vultures, not at the Wetlands, but was taken on a country road not too far from the scene.






Our friend, Tom, is kind enough to host Sky Watch every week. The project has grown to 225 participants from all over the world.

The list of links to all the posts can be found at his blog, Wigger's World.

BUTTERFLIES

Couldn't resist. Dianne inspired me with her Project Green butterflies yesterday. I had to dig out a few of my butterfly pictures. I just love butterflies! When I was younger and faster on the draw, I was able to capture some of them on film. (Yes, we used film in those days.) So here are a few.


The first is a diana that I spotted in Leaming's Run Gardens.



Then there is a longtailed skipper (and friend) that was sitting on a zinnia over at the Wetlands Institute.





The little cabbage white was flitting around
near Hereford Inlet Lighthouse.


I'm not sure what this one is. But isn't it pretty?

And the next one is a painted lady.








The tiger swallowtail is one of my favorites.
Have you ever seen Monarchs, exhausted from their migration, sleeping on a tree limb? These are not leaves, they are sleeping butterflies.And of course, the monarchs, by day.

They are all so beautiful! I have dozens of pictures. But there is no such thing as a picture that can truly capture the thrill it gives me to watch the flying flowers.

FAMILY VISIT

I do like family visits! But I cannot believe how much catching-up there is to do afterwards. Blogs are only part of it. Oh, well.
It's worth it.


I'm told that when their flight arrived, they were sitting in the back of the plane, so had to wait for everyone in front to move out. Isaac's complaint was, "Grandmom is waiting for us!"



He brought me a present. He made a painting for me, which is now hanging on my bedroom wall along with another drawing he did of "some kind of animal". On another wall is a drawing that his mother did when she was in kindergarten, of her family. I consider it a true work of art, and wouldn't part with it
for any amount of money.



One of the first things we did together was take a trip to the Wetlands Institute. They have a pretty neat Please Touch Museum and all kinds of activities for the kids. Here I am with Isaac, looking at the turtles - finally! When we first went into the building, the three of them went up into the little tower to look over the wetlands. When they came down I asked him what he had seen.
The reply was, "No turtles!"


When we'd seen all we could of turtles, and were all dying of the heat in that humid room, we went on, following the bird tracks painted on the boardwalk to the aquarium and activity room. Wide screen TV's played continually with really gorgeous videos of sea life. The room was filled with child-oriented displays, games, puzzles and anything else you can think of concerning fish and birds. He did go fishing, and matched his wooden fish to those on the wall. There was even a short ladder leading up through the center of an osprey's nest. He made a pretty good looking egg.



But the main attraction had to be the octopus.




The others took a walk along the nature trail to cool off. I sat that one out, and watched them setting up the camera that will follow life in an osprey's nest out in the wetlands, so that it can be observed indoors in the meeting room.


Rita and Villas Girl joined us in the evening. I really enjoyed myself, despite the fact that my darling daughter insisted on filming Lisa (Villas Girl) and me. She did a whole series of pictures of us, plus video. Pretty darned funny! But they will probably never again see the light of day.


So ended Day One.