Yes, lovely. I grew up in New Mexico, and the most wonderful things I saw there were a red, black and metallic gold calligraphy beetle and a huge vinegaroon!
A real beauty that I'm sure is easily overlooked. Have emailed my wife's relatives in the SE about their possible experience with it. I also read (Glassberg) about a Northern and a Swamp Metalmark.
Lovely writing, as always, Brian. Coincidentally enough, we have an indoor visitor revealing itself today in our house here in coastal Maine: a clouded sulphur fluttering at the window, thinking it wants to frolic amid the freezing temps and foot of snow. Any thoughts on how to make its indoor life habitable? Or perhaps we should send it on its untimely way?
Thanks, Jason. Wow, that's unusual. As you probably know, we can rescue butterflies that normally overwinter as adults (like Milbert's Tortoiseshell or Mourning Cloak). But sulphurs overwinter as pupae. (Maybe this one came in on some plant last autumn?) They don't emerge until April or May in Maine. Even then, they live for a week or so as adults under ideal conditions. So perhaps the humane option would be to capture it and place it in the fridge for a few hours, then into the freezer for its final journey. Hmmm. Tough one.
Thank you, Brian. We had a similar event a couple winters ago, at my mother's nearby, when an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail appeared in the house mid-winter. Definitely a mixed blessing between the pleasure of seeing it and the knowledge of its fate.
Thanks so much, Ginny. I heartily agree. And the odd thing, maybe the irony, is that despite all the abuses we perpetrate on the natural world, the Beauty is so often right there in front of us.
Yes, lovely. I grew up in New Mexico, and the most wonderful things I saw there were a red, black and metallic gold calligraphy beetle and a huge vinegaroon!
You could make art from those, Janet!
A real beauty that I'm sure is easily overlooked. Have emailed my wife's relatives in the SE about their possible experience with it. I also read (Glassberg) about a Northern and a Swamp Metalmark.
Thanks,
Joe Wallner
Thanks, Joe. Yep, Northern and Swamp metalmarks are in the same genus.
"the flame flickering in the understory at your ankles" ...Nice
Thanks so much, Diane.
Even the antennae are gorgeous!
I almost wrote about them as part of the overall bliss. :-)
Just what I needed today, Brian. Thank you.
You are most welcome.
Lovely writing, as always, Brian. Coincidentally enough, we have an indoor visitor revealing itself today in our house here in coastal Maine: a clouded sulphur fluttering at the window, thinking it wants to frolic amid the freezing temps and foot of snow. Any thoughts on how to make its indoor life habitable? Or perhaps we should send it on its untimely way?
Thanks, Jason. Wow, that's unusual. As you probably know, we can rescue butterflies that normally overwinter as adults (like Milbert's Tortoiseshell or Mourning Cloak). But sulphurs overwinter as pupae. (Maybe this one came in on some plant last autumn?) They don't emerge until April or May in Maine. Even then, they live for a week or so as adults under ideal conditions. So perhaps the humane option would be to capture it and place it in the fridge for a few hours, then into the freezer for its final journey. Hmmm. Tough one.
Thank you, Brian. We had a similar event a couple winters ago, at my mother's nearby, when an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail appeared in the house mid-winter. Definitely a mixed blessing between the pleasure of seeing it and the knowledge of its fate.
I’ve found, after these many years of living, that I need Beauty just as much as I need air. Thank you, Bryan, for being Its very source today.
Thanks so much, Ginny. I heartily agree. And the odd thing, maybe the irony, is that despite all the abuses we perpetrate on the natural world, the Beauty is so often right there in front of us.