Great Bend had an air show this weekend, celebrating the 75th anniversary of its Army Airfield. We were planting wheat, so we didn't make it. But I had an "air show" all my own in an alfalfa field.
Since we are planting wheat north of Stafford, I took Randy his noon meal on Monday. When I found out he'd be refilling the drill after a couple of rounds, I decided to wait so I could get photos of the process.
At first, I lamented that I hadn't brought my book. But then I decided to take a walk in a nearby alfalfa field, thinking maybe I'd find a stray Monarch butterfly left behind when its compatriots departed for warmer weather in Mexico.
I didn't find any Monarchs. But I still experienced the aerial acrobatics of hundreds of little flying machines. I've never gotten photos of the little blue butterflies before. I later found out the bright blue ones were male Melissa's blue butterflies. They are about the size of a thumbnail, so it's not easy to get close enough for a clear shot before they flit away to another perch.
I also saw a few painted ladies (though their numbers were fewer than the smaller aerial artists) ....
... clouded sulphurs ...
... and, perhaps, some cabbage whites? I'm not sure, even after spending some time looking at a Kansas butterfly and moth website.
I may not know their names. But I know they made my day.
Beautiful and graceful,
varied and enchanting,
small but approachable,
butterflies lead you to the sunny side of life.
And everyone deserves a little sunshine.
~Jeffrey Glassberg
Today, I'm scrambling to get my KFRM report done before 7 so I can deliver Randy to the field and go to Zenith to fill a 100-gallon diesel tank on the pickup. I'll pick up seed wheat on the way home from getting some medicine in Hutchinson, then deliver the noon meal to Randy again. Helping Randy move from over west to a field closer to home is on the agenda sometime this afternoon, barring breakdowns and other complications. I'll be the one "flying" from one thing to another today. I could use some wings.
You got some beautiful shots! Alfalfa blooms have quite the draw for all manner of insects and butterflies, apparently. When Jim mows, he gets swooped by swallows, who enjoy having a feast as the alfalfa is disturbed by the tractor and haybine. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alica. It was a fun way to pass the time while I waited. I was pleasantly surprised at some of the shots when I got back home. And, on the other hand, I downloaded some photos from the last two days this AM and I'm disappointed. I thought they were better. Ah well! It's an adventure.
DeleteSo glad you took a walk to the alfalfa field. Such lovely captures of varieties we never see. The delicate blue is my favourite. I hope things slow down soon on the farm.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a busy week. However, we got 1.80 inches of rain overnight, so we will be forced to take a break from wheat planting. More rain is forecast, too.
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