Inspiration for Tuesday, October 7 – 2008
Milkweed
You know I have a love affair with milkweed, as an interesting plant and as inspiration for art (see third row of photos). This is the first time I have ever seen the sap at the tips of a green milkweed. This year I have seen fewer Monarch butterflies than in any previous year.
Nature report: The last two resident female hummingbirds left last Tuesday. I have had migrators at the feeder almost every day since.
Haiku count since July 14: 360
BJ Parady alerted me to this unusual topic for a haiku contest: economics.
A patriotic salute today in The Garbage Day Project.
Karen – Great photos – thanks for sharing! I am thinking maybe density of milkweed makes a difference. I need more. V.
Hi, Lynne – Good for you on the haikus. I think sometimes it is not so much the writing that is important as the SEEING needed to think about and write them.
Walking is the perfect complement! V.
I’m so glad I’m not the only person who loves milkweed!! I have a 40′+ bed of it and raise Monarch’s (not like it’s “work”…they show up and do their own thing) I actually had more caterpillars this year than I remember seeing in the past, but that may be because I had more milkweed as it continues to spread. I have lots of pictures on my blog…please visit! http://www.designerstitches.blogspot.com
I too have seen far fewer Monarchs here in Vermont this year. I did find one egg and raised it to flight but it took 21 days to emerge from the chrysallis – much longer than before.
I took your haiku challenge and have written 22 since Sept 4. It is such a good way to appreciate and think about nature. I often compose them on my walks. So glad you suggested it.