Beth's Patch ~ Butterfly Wrap Up 2019

Butterfly wrap up for our yard. We had 45 butterfly species visit us this season including 5 new species - Northern Broken Dash, American Copper, Delaware Skipper, Giant Swallowtail and Clouded Skipper. That brings us to an overall total of 55 species that have visited the yard in 6 years. Add to that 13 species of butterfly caterpillars with host plants for many more. Common Buckeye was took the prize for the highest numbers in mid-Sept when there was a week of over 150 individuals most days. Looking forward to 2020.

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

Clouded Skipper

Beth's Patch ~ Nature Sightings

Yesterday, Christmas Day, I had a friend stop in to visit for a few hours.  I haven't seen her in 2 years since a tip to Palm Desert, CA to relax and do some birding.

 Bernie and I decided to tour the gardens which are dead except for a very few plants. The temperatures have been in the 50's during the day most of December with a few colder days interspersed here and there.  Night temperatures vary.  

We found 4 Common Buckeye butterfly caterpillars feeding on snapdragons, a native Carolina Mantis egg casing though I have seen another few casings I didn't really look for them today.  We also found several Black swallowtail pupa and some Spicebush swallowtail pupa.  These will be among the first butterflies to eclose in late spring here if they overwinter without any issues.  Only time will tell...

Carolina Mantis egg casing called an ootheca.

Spicebush Swallowtail Pupa

Black Swallowtail Pupa

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from my house to yours.

Happy Christmas Eve

God's handiwork shown throughout the sky as we prepare to celebrate the birth of baby, Jesus.

Christmas Eve Day Surprise's in Cape May Point, NJ

Seen at the Northwood Center ~ American Snout Butterfly

At CMP Sate Park was this Yellow-rumped Warbler catching insects.

Cox Hall Creek WMA ~ Villas, NJSong

Song Sparrow

Lake Champlain, Villas, NJ ~ Hooded Merganser's

Christmas Surprises

A special friend of mine has moved out of state and into an apartment closer to her daughter.   I thought that making this stocking for her would be fun.

We became quilting buddies more than 25 years ago.  Along with another friend, Jane we were like the three musketeers of quilting. We had so much fun together over the years and I will miss her.    She can use the stocking in her apartment or on the door of it to let others know her name.  

Feedback tells me, Fran likes her stocking.  Much happiness to her in her new living situation.

Christmas Joy

Made a triptych of fabric postcards to swap with a friend in ID. It stands by itself. Excited for her to receive it. Maybe I should make one for myself also.

Christmas Stockings

Getting ready to close my Christmas stocking shop with about 35 stockings made and sent. My most favorite are the are these 2 stockings for a set of brothers but the last stockings I made I used a script lettering as a change. I love the script lettering. This stocking set are for a mother & daughter.