Eclipse over Oakdale

Today there was a partial solar eclipse over Oakdale. The above photo was taken of it using an iPhone and a telescope with a solar filter.

Hummingbirds

  

These are not sharp photographs, but they are proof that the hummingbirds are not just visiting the feeders in my yard.  They are also loving the cardinal vines and the stately yellow flowers my brother donated to my garden. 

Milkweed and Monarchs

Monarch caterpillar on milkweed

I don't know how it happened because I hadn't planted it, but a patch of milkweed popped up in my garden. knowing that milkweed is a necessary plant for the lifecycle of monarch caterpillars, I left it alone. When I saw today a caterpillar feasting on one of the leaves, I was delighted that I had chosen the monarch butterflies over my urge to weed and have a perfect garden.