early morning

An early start this morning--4am, but it was a great morning to be up early because a small cool front had come through and dropped the dawn temperature to 66--pleasant after lows of 80 or so. Cooler temps usually means clear skies so I brought my coffee outdoors and drank it on the deck. Perhaps I would hear migrating birds or the coyotes might serenade, but it was unusually quiet.

The big bonus turned out to be falling stars or meteors. There were several nice ones that dropped out the sky while we waited for the sun. I have spent some exceptional mornings on my deck witnessing meteor showers, full moons, the passing of the space station, and the incredible gifts of Hyakatake and Hale-Bopp.

butterflies

Most of the things that I planted to attract hummingbirds are also favorites of butterflies. The small turk's cap attracts the sulphur colored butterflies that appear in late summer and early fall. It is neat to brush the plant and see the clouds of yellow butterflies fly up. They also love the cardinal flowers, vitex, mexican sunflowers, and salvias that are blooming throughout the yard.

One of the best butterfly magnets is the penta that I planted in pots on the patio. Watching the parade of swallowtails, gulf fritillaries, and monarchs while I wash dishes somehow takes some of the sting out of a boring task.