Pushing a lawnmower is something that I find relaxing. I do not have to think...or, more accurately, my brain can just wander to far off worlds because the chore is a "no-brainer". To get all of the grass cut, it takes two to three days for this old lady. Keep in mind that I am cutting for about 2 to 3hrs each day. Cutting 4 acres with a push lawnmower is a time-consuming job. Still, I like it. It gives me time to myself as not many are going to offer to help. During my cutting time, I fully come into contact with my surroundings, I watch what nature hangs around with the noisy machine and I ponder things. It is all good.
This morning's lovely mower time let me to come across (or actually under) an exciting event taking place! On the small corksrew willow, dozens of Viceroy Butterflies were coming out of their cocoons! Well, that ended the mowing for the day! Not wanting to startle the critters, I quickly shut down the motor and pulled the lawnmower from under the tree. Wow! How beautiful is nature that I can watch this "rebirthing"...or change, as it may be? I rushed to get the camera and settled in for the duration. Forget that grass! I have butterflies to watch!
Come to find out, Viceroy Butterflies prefer willow trees! The corkscrew willow tree was gifted to me by a sweet young lady. She had been visiting her family and took a small cutting from their tree. The branch was carefully wrapped in wet paper and hand delivered. For several years, the tree stayed in the same pot where it was rooted but then it was planted near the Frog Pond. This is the first year that I noticed the butterflies. Never before have I had so many in the yard. My spiral twigged willow is a butterfly tree!
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