news from Chester

[Diane Adams]

Saw a lovely sight today...a black swallowtail (or maybe a
spicebush--didn't get that close) was nectaring on the mimosa tree, and
then a hummingbird (female or juvenile) came and joined it.  Needless to
say, they didn't both fit on the same delicate blossom, but the two of
them danced around each other, playing musical blossoms, while I
watched.  Of course, when I went and got my camera, they both took off!

Released my third monarch this afternoon. I tagged it by
myself--something I'll try not to do again!--and it flew up into a maple
tree.  Still finding a few eggs...while looking for fresh milkweed this
afternoon, I found a cluster of yellow eggs (on the milkweed).  They
were about the same size as monarch eggs, but there were at least a
dozen, maybe more. Could they be cabbage white?  They've been hanging
around lately.  What do milkweed tiger moth eggs look like?  We've been
seeing their caterpillars around lately too.

Other recent visitors...silver-spotted skippers (very friendly!) and a
very pale sulphur.

Diane Adams
Chester