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On Guard Duty


This dove was watching from the roof of my car port. When she saw me watching, she flew to the crape myrtle tree and watched patiently from there, aware I am certain that I was still watching her.

Now she is casually sauntering around the lawn trying to convince me she has no harmful intent.

HA! I know what she is up to. She is not wandering far from my parsley plant.


I had noticed a black swallowtail butterfly visiting the parsley and last week I found the future generation. I covered them with netting but I have to remain vigilant over those wily birds.

My sister opined that I am being cruel to birds by depriving them of a food source. I consider it stewardship of increased food supply for the future.

They are growing fast and quickly demolishing the parsley.


I was kind of starting to think about the trip back to Vermont but now I am torn
over maternal responsibilities.

It may take a while for the process to unfold.

Comments

  1. gigi-hawaiiMay 31, 2020 at 11:58 AM

    I used to watch the metamorphosis of butterflies. Quite thrilling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OlgaMay 31, 2020 at 7:21 PM

      I remember doing that in school science class.

      Delete
  2. Linda ReederMay 31, 2020 at 3:30 PM

    Oh, those are so cool! Worth losing the parsley and standing guard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OlgaMay 31, 2020 at 7:36 PM

      Parsley is easy to grow. I brought this plant with me from VT last fall. It served me well and now I don't mind passing it on.

      Delete
  3. Arkansas PattiMay 31, 2020 at 4:46 PM

    They really do love parsley don't they. I didn't protect them when they got to me and I was stunned to see how quickly the birds eliminated them. If I plant it again, I'll try to protect them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MaebemeMay 31, 2020 at 7:26 PM

    That is incredible! Hopefully your netting will save them from the birds...I'm sure there are others in the neighbourhood to satisfy their appetite.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jenn JilksJune 1, 2020 at 9:59 AM

    That's an interesting problem!
    I imagine there is more food than just this for the birds!

    ReplyDelete
  6. TomJune 2, 2020 at 10:41 AM

    Ha ha. If you have herbs or vegetables, you're going to have pest... I mean, cute little critters running and flying around your yard.

    ReplyDelete

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