Fluttering

On our walk through Little Tract Thursday afternoon, Brenna and I mostly saw mosquitoes. Nasty. It's a lovely mixed forest, with a pine plantation at one end, mature maple woods at the other. I heard pine warblers, chickadees, crows, cardinals and a nuthatch.

And peacocks. Nothing is more disconcerting, when walking through the woods, than to hear a muster of peacocks in the distance.

We came to a sunny opening, and suddenly were surrounded by butterflies. White cabbage butterflies, dark brown wood nymphs, tiny orange ones and fluttering hairstreaks. The only one that sat still long enough for me to photograph was this Polygonia interrogationis, or question mark.

This was my first experiment with both the zoom and macro functions, and I'm pleased with the combo.

I considered superimposing this image with text about my own bright butterfly coming of age, finding wings and beauty, but it seemed trite. I decided to let her stand for herself. We need to do that for our offspring becoming young adults.

We're going to spend the day in Niagara Falls. Stokes Farm Trial Gardens, Fort Henry, Queenston Heights and Niagara Parks Greenhouse are on the agenda. Of course we'll stop to see the falls. Brenna leaves for camp tomorrow.

The real reason for our trip to Niagara Falls is to pick up dakoopst in Fort Erie at 7:30. Our visit last July was a highlight of the year, and I happily anticipate the next six days with him. My paws are itching.