Wordless Wednesday
“Named in reference to the mineral of the same name, the malachite butterfly (Siproeta stelenes) boasts a brilliant green coloration on its wings.”
Today at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens -the Butterfly Forest -Pittsburgh PA
The Second butterfly was photographed at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens https://www.fpconservatory.org/ in Columbus Ohio just a week ago.
Silent Sunday
Lady Slippers, cypripedium reginae, are rare these days. These were seen in the woods at Fallingwater in the Laurel Highlands while on a Landscape Hike with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy on Members’s Day. I was invited to be a guest of Erika’s Uncle Larry, who is an enthusiastic environmentalist, and shared a wonderful day at the Barn at Fallingwater with his family.
When the outdoor world seems black and white and gray but your photograph is in color. Everyone has had enough of the cold, snow, ice and dark. They’re ready for crocuses and daffodils bursting through the earth, looking for light.
I’ve photographed this tree before. I always like how the snow defines the branches.
We took a late afternoon walk in the sun today. Penny was excited to take a walk. Maura found a book in the Little Free Library on the corner.
Charlie wore his ski goggles. He held up his baby to show him the fully visible moon.
We cut down the alley and saw some signs of bulbs sprouting through the earth. Charlie looked back to make sure I was coming, too. I was gawking and shooting a few snaps on the phone, capturing the sun we haven’t seen in such a long time. It was chilly in the shade.
We’ve still got to get through the month of March and it’s been known to snow but I could feel a respite from winter today.
Along the Monongahela River.
The thin white tree branch over the dark trunk seemed to connect the bridge reflection in the river. Tie it together.
I photographed this image earlier in the week.
But-we’re not talking about the weather or what it’s doing outside my window right now.
It’s winter for certain.
Saturday afternoon.
These colorful (but unidentifed) berries on a vine caught my eye! Highland Park, Pittsburgh.
The colors looked unreal.
*update 8:45 AM Sunday
Blog Reader L has sent Plant ID “The plant is ampelopsis.”
*update 9:04 from blog reader L
“Porcelain-berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata) was originally brought to the United States around the 1870’s as a landscape plant. Porcelain-berry is now recognized as an invasive plant, which can quickly overwhelm and displace native plants.Sep 7, 2006”
thanks for the info L
6:30 AM- Sea Turtle Patrol Volunteer arrives
The dig commences
The results of the dig –
97 broken eggshells evidence of live turtles hatching
2 eggs not viable, Not hatched
0 live turtles present in the bottom of the funnel, which is a good thing- they all made it out
