I remembered to set all of my clocks back last night, but it seems to have resulted in a night of fitful sleep for me. I think maybe I’m starting to get the pre-doctor-visit jitters. I hate going to the doctor, and I’m rather dreading the outcome of this visit. I know something has to be done, but I’m still not looking forward to it.
With my weak wifi signal and variable air card signal here, I saved some of my photos from yesterday for tonight’s post. I can’t pack a post too full of photos or it would never make it to blogland.
It will be a butterfly night this time. The Gulf Fritillaries are very abundant along the back roads of the refuge. They are fluttering about all over, and especially like these purple flowers. I think maybe someone told me the flowers were deer tongues or something like that, but I’m not sure. In the middle pic of the collage you might also notice a black and white bee honing in. I sure wish I knew the name of every plant and insect I see, but my brain just can’t seem to hold all that information.
Each bloom seemed to attract multiple insects.
Using my National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies, I was able to identify this beauty as a Buckeye. It was resting on a pine needle on the sandy ground. I have been quite surprised to find the soil here very sandy. Apparently this area was a seabed in ancient times. Edythe, one of the local volunteers, told me that when they drilled the well for their house sand dollars were dug up over 100’ below the surface of their yard. Amazing!
I guess this is my favorite ‘capture’ of the day as it shows three butterflies and a couple of bees all coming to the blooms for some nectar. I think the little butterflies in this photo and the one below are skippers, but I’m not exactly sure about that.
This little guy had just taken off from this flowering plant.
Anyway, about all I did today was my laundry for the week. Other than that, I just rested up for going back to work for the next two days before my trek to the Mayo Clinic. I did put the shock collar on Emma so she could burn off some energy as I slowly hobbled my way down one of the back roads. I perhaps walked a half mile, but I’m thinking Emma put in several exuberant miles rushing from interesting scent to interesting scent.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
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Oh how beautiful...butterflies, grasshoppers and bees. Three of my favorite things.
ReplyDeleteLoved the pictures Judy, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAs always ~ I enjoyed the entry. Beautiful photography ~ I loved the buckeye. I imagine that was a pretty interesting story Edythe had about finding the sand dollars 100 feet down. I wonder what's under my ground that far down? I know our well is 56 feet down and nothing of interest came up during our dig except the water. I was hoping for gold!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures. I have a lot of sleep troubles both times during the year when they change the clocks. Hope yours was due to that and not Fear of Mayo. I've heard nothing but good reports on them and how efficient they are.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures! You get great detail and the flowers and butterflies are exquisite.
ReplyDeleteHope everything goes well at Mayo - knowledge is power! Ask lots of questions.
As always, your photos are wonderful. I always have to take my BP a few times 2 or 3 weeks prior to my doctor visit as I always have "white coat syndrome" and the numbers are way out of what's really normal by the time I get to the doctor office. Of course, I'm hoping for the best for you and that you get that hip fixed so you can enjoy the great outdoors that you love.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, Judy. I enjoyed every one. I am another one who hates going to the doctor so I feel for you. Good luck and sure hope they can get you all fixed up.
ReplyDeleteWhat fantastic photos!
ReplyDeleteLove the insect photos! I wish I had your talent. When this is all over and done....you will feel so much better! Praying for you and your medical team.
ReplyDeleteGeez, looks like Spring there!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms and butterflies!! I certainly hope the Dr's find you some relief.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Even the butterflies stay still for you to photograph.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the Mayo Clinic. Hopefully the visit goes well and puts your mind at ease.
Absolutely fabulous. . .I loved every single pic!
ReplyDeleteJanice
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I really hope all goes well with your visit. Having a bad hip is a b@:ch.
ReplyDeleteHi I am from Newport, NC. I haven't read your blogs for a couple of weeks,and I have not read the comments, but I understand you are having hip problems. IF you have to have hip surgery, hopefully not, select a doctor that does not cut the muscles, but separates them to do a hip replacement. My daughter and husband both, has had hip replacement and are doing great. healing is so much faster by not cutting the muscles.
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures.
ReplyDeleteGreat Butterfly pics, thanks for sharing. Good luck with the doc visit.
ReplyDeleteMy husband had hip replacement surgery about two years ago, and he said it was not a hard thing at all. The recovery was excellent from what I could see and from his comments at the time. Best advice? Get a doctor who has lots of experience and trust him/her. The pain was alleviated IMMEDIATELY. The hospital had him up walking within 24 hours. Within three weeks, he was walking with a cane..which he used for one day and then discarded it.
ReplyDeleteEmjay
One of my quilting buddies had a total hip one year ago--her comment, "if I had known how much better I would feel, I would have had the surgery years ago."
ReplyDeleteGood luck at the doctor visit. I hope they have a satisfactory answer for you!!
ReplyDeleteHope all turns out well...sounds like this procedure is REALLY going to help you feel so much better, from what everybody says...Love the butterflies...we have tons of the Gulf Fritillaries here in Alabama...didn't know what they were until you said. Always learn a lot about nature from you, Judy! :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful butterfly pics, Judy. At least with the doctor's visit you will get rid of the uncertainty question, right?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the name Fritillaries..Sounds like something you would order in a restaurant.."I'll take an order of fried fritillaries, extra crispy please"...
ReplyDeleteI hear ya about nerves and Docs..Hope you get a great one like I did..It sure makes a difference if you like them and have confidence in them...I'll be thinkin' of ya..
What a wonderful day you had - gorgeous photo ops. Hope you do well at the Mayo Clinic.
ReplyDelete