I have emerged from my cocoon! I'm certainly no beautiful butterfly; I'd probably be a Funereal Duskywing if I had to choose. Seriously though, I've been pretty depressed, but I'm feeling better. The holidays can really suck sometimes.
But we know how to decorate a tree at MOSI. Check it out. My bosses came up with this idea a few years ago. They cut out pictures from books and calendars and then laminated them. Cool, huh?
My suspected Tropical Checkered Skipper came out as...a Tropical Checkered Skipper! I wasn't so sure it was going to come out. The chrysalis had these hairs on it and I wasn't sure if that was normal or if it was growing some kind of mold. But it emerged all right. That's another new species for me! Never found a caterpillar before or raised one. But now I know their game - and it's on!
It's been kind of slow lately. We had a cold front come through. We actually turned the heat on in the house. It was 45 degrees this morning! And you know I still ordered an iced latte at Starbucks because I only drink iced coffee.
I did put socks and a jacket on for the drive, though. Anyway, I still have Gulf Fritillary caterpillars because they never really quit; they just slow down. the first one is on Corkystem Passion Vine while the second one is on P. 'Lavender Lady'.
Speaking of 'Lavender Lady', Dad was complaining about it starting to spread. I told him to let it grow up the cherry tree, but it's already doing that!
Long-Tailed Skippers are about the only regular visitors I see every day. I haven't been out much, though. I'm recuperating from the holidays.
