Welcome!

Welcome to austinagrodolce … My family and I garden with more intention and enthusiasm than allocated budget or overall design plan. It shows. Wildlife populations don't seem to notice our lack of cohesive design, they just like the native plants here. It seems by growing local we've thrown out a welcome mat. Occasionally, we're surprised at who (and what) shows up.



Thursday, May 5, 2016

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

May started out on a gentle note but this afternoon's rapid heating reminded me we won't be hanging around with windows open for long.

Meanwhile, this is a favorite photo of the most recent shots.  A Fiery Skipper Butterfly, Hylephila phyleus, resting on a leaf of some common, dare I say, "garden variety" mint.
Feliz Cinco de Mayo, y'all.


16 comments:

Tina said...

Nice capture. She looks like a traditional Mexican dancer, all ruffles and color.

TexasDeb said...

Thank you, ma'am. These skippers were most like one of those amazing Ballet Folklorico performers which I automatically associate with celebrating the day - (glad you see it too!).

Linda/patchwork said...

Great shot!

TexasDeb said...

Linda: Thank you - it was one of those lucky "right time/right place" events. Happy May!

Kris Peterson said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kris Peterson said...

Skippers are usually our most common visitors from the butterfly family but I've yet to notice any this year - their absence is a mystery. A belated happy Cinco de Mayo!

TexasDeb said...

Kris: Thanks for dropping in!

Well that IS a mystery. Most of our wildlife and plants are running early this year.

I recall attending a global climate disruption briefing at a political advocacy gathering years ago where the speaker explained how due to fluctuating weather patterns, that would be one potentially one of the most disturbed segments of any ecosystem - the delicate dance between plant and pollinators. Which seems obvious once you think about it - timing is everything when it comes to specific interactions between host plants and hosted pollinators.

Here's hoping May days bring you gentle weather and a return of the Skippers.

Donna@LivingFromHappiness said...

A wonderful view to start May...hope it doesn't get too hot.

TexasDeb said...

Donna: Thank you! I'm happy to report we are at least enjoying cool nights and mornings as we tiptoe into the "HOT" season here in Central Texas. Every single cool day is a gift at this point and folks are out enjoying themselves in earnest all around our area.

Unfortunately, there's no "if it gets too hot" for us - it is only a matter of "when" and for how long. It is the price we pay for relatively mild winters I suppose. Onward!

Rock rose said...

I missed the celebration so belated greetings. I was also busy trying to take good shots of pollinators but I just don't have your skill at getting a clear picture. I was lamenting the fact that my citrus were blooming when the bees weren't out and thinking that- of course this is Texas and we don't grow lemons in central Texas. "But I have had them before" I moan. What is wrong with this year. Something is out of wack when the Copper Canyon daisy is blooming in May and there are some buds on the Philippine violet. Ah! Well, we must accept it as it is. In the meantime I will look to get a good shot of a skipper.

Toni W said...

She looks feisty indeed! Skippers move so quickly that I never get a great look at them- what a great shot!

Anonymous said...

RR/Jenny: I'll be watching for your skipper shots. With your extensive gardens in bloom I bet you've got a huge selection of pollinators to choose from.

While I'm not certain about the bees and your lemon, I'm guessing that wonderful aroma from the flowers will pull them in, even if the timing does seem off this year. Happy May!

Anonymous said...

THGM/Toni: Thank you! I was reading with interest your re-identification of those blue salvia. Keeping it all straight gets trickier as nurseries are offering more good choices. Here's wishing you and yours a smooth transition from school to vacation times this year!

Debra said...

A gorgeous skipper dressed up in party colours! Belated Cinco de Mayo but here's to a Happy Juneteenth!

TexasDeb said...

Debra: Happy Juneteenth right back to you (and Happy Father's Day to your resident Dad!).

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