joy in the Mornings

Today has been cool - about 70 to 75 degrees.

I’ve noticed a large number of butterflies flitting about. I counted about five or six at one time on the Butterfly Bush out front earlier today. It looked like they were all Buckeyes. I saw a Monarch on the Butterfly Bush a little later.

I know that the season for butterflies is winding down - although I will probably see a number of Monarchs as they are migrating to Mexico right now. I’ll miss them and will look forward to Spring when the butterflies return.

I enjoy my butterfly garden and this summer I have seen such a large variety: Monarchs, Yellow Sulfurs, Buckeyes, Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Pinevine Swallowtails, Black Swallowtails, Tiger Swallowtails and even a couple Zebra Swallowtails some Gray and Azure Hairstreaks.

I’ve also seen a number of interesting moths - including a Polyphemus Moth, Milkweed Tussock (or Milkweed Tiger) Moths. I haven’t seen a Luna Moth at all this year.

Butterflies bring me such a sense of peace and I love seeing them in my garden.

I woke up this morning to the sound of my roosters crowing. I am down to three roosters after a friend took two of them. I have someone else wanting two more which should leave me with only one guy.

I enjoy hearing my roosters crow, there’s only one problem: one of them can’t crow very well. I thought at first he was just learning and was obviously still in need of practice.

Now, though, I think he’s practiced, but simply is not a good crow-er.

In truth, he sounds like a deflating bagpipe. He sounds as though the air is slowly deflating from him and I am reminded of the sound bagpipes make. - a low “Errrrrrrrr” that slows and deepens until it disappears.

He tries to compete with the other good-crowing rooster, which makes for interesting sounds around our place.

When he finally goes to his new home - where he’s going to be fattened up for butchering day - I just hope he tastes better than he sounds.