12 replies to this topic

[chilli]

I have never seen so many as I have this year. i usually see one on my butterfly bush being chased off by several monarches but this year the tables have been turned. I am not the only one who has noticed this. I'll whip up a picture of one tomorrow but a google image search will find them for ya so you know what to look for.

[smerchly]

chilli, on Jul 13 2010, 12:02 AM, said:

I have never seen so many as I have this year. i usually see one on my butterfly bush being chased off by several monarches but this year the tables have been turned. I am not the only one who has noticed this. I'll whip up a picture of one tomorrow but a google image search will find them for ya so you know what to look for.

Preety little things Chills . They are similiar to a monarch but smaller in size . I saw the first monarch land on our butterfly bush yesterday...

this must be the one you are talking about.......

[chilli]

Ya that's it but most of them have their wings closed while feeding. Perhaps it's not time to attract a mate yet. I have this new camera (cheap) but it's hard to focus. Out of 40 shots only 2 turned out. Here's one of them.

[Coachman]

I've noticed a lot of them this year too. And a lot of monarchs.

I heard some cicadas last weekend too. . . a bit early for them by about 3 weeks I think.

[knightfisher]

Nice pic Dan.

I have seen a number of them this year as well as a few monarchs.

The cicadas have been doing there thing for a few weeks out here.

What I have noticed is the lack of bats flying around in the evening.

Usually see a good three or four every night feeding on the insects.

The beautiful fireflies in the yard make for an enjoyable sight

Edited by knightfisher, 14 July 2010 - 05:30 PM.

[smerchly]

Dan , I haven't seen the bats yet either , been watching for them ....maybe the bugs & moths etc. are not around yet or the hatch is low this year with the heat .A monarch was buzzing me in the garden today as the butterfly bush has a few blooms & brings them in . I saw a big fat rat yesterday , bit a nice 2" hole in my composter (only veggie matter in there) ....so ,good bye composter , hello rat poison ,and it (they) have been taking the cheese & bacon flavoured bait ! I also hear the cicadas singing mostly in the evening before sunset & also a few fireflies were lighting up the backyard while we cooked weinies on the fire pit .

[chilli]

Seen some bats tonight but this year the white nose disease is dropping their numbers. I was in Point Abino today and made a joke about the 7 year cicada because they were so many singing at once it was almost deafening.

[Coachman]

chilli, on Jul 15 2010, 10:15 PM, said:

I was in Point Abino today and made a joke about the 7 year cicada because they were so many singing at once it was almost deafening.

Was it last year or the year before that the 13 year and the 7 year cycles coincided? I recall reading a fly-tying magazine that had an article about it. Either way, I think they're early this year.

[Phranchise]

i have seen many as well. mostly monarchs but also a few other types that I have never seen until this year. This must not be a coincidence!

[mazz]

the bats have been flying here in merriton almost nitely.we sit in the backyard just before dusk to watch them but the wife dont like em to much

[chilli]

mazz, on Jul 16 2010, 10:15 AM, said:

the bats have been flying here in merriton almost nitely.we sit in the backyard just before dusk to watch them but the wife dont like em to much

Explain to your wife how many mosquitoes those bats are eating. She'll likely want them to fly closer. Your actually attracting the bats by attracting the mosquitoes

[smerchly]

chilli, on Jul 16 2010, 03:15 PM, said:

Explain to your wife how many mosquitoes those bats are eating. She'll likely want them to fly closer. Your actually attracting the bats by attracting the mosquitoes

When we see the bats picking off bugs they are usually just above the tree tops . Skitters seem to be flying a lower levels ,so I wonder if the insects they are hitting are larger ones .....not much meat on a skitter .
Oh , yes , we are talking about painted ladies.......

"Sweet painted lady ,
Seems it's always been the same,
Gettin laid & being paid ,
Guess that's the name of the game...."

Elton John

Edited by smerchly, 17 July 2010 - 07:45 AM.

[Coachman]

I've always been partial to this one (must be my love of Canadian music):

I remember setting out just to see what I could see
Streetcars rolling by and airplanes flying high they all meant nothing to me
No one ever looked my way or knew that I was there
I kept walking and the rain kept raining
Until all the streets were bare

Ooh ooh feeling fine mama
Painted ladies and a bottle of wine mama
Ooh ooh Feeling good mama
They took my money like I knew they would
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la

--Ian Thomas--