#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly on clover in the meadow this morning

“The eastern black swallowtail is one of our most common and most studied swallowtails. Although it is admired for its beauty, it is one of the very few butterflies that may occasionally be considered a pest. It has been known by a variety of other names including black swallowtail, American swallowtail, parsnip swallowtail, parsley swallowtail, celeryworm, and caraway worm (Miller 1992). ”

— http://entnemdept.ufl.edu

Eclipsed

As I sit down to post my photos from this morning's walk and write this blog from my home, in the same Massachusetts town I grew up in, out my window I notice the sky darkening over our meadow and the tall grass standing still. The sun is being eclipsed by the moon.

July 20, 1963, Map of Total Solar Eclipse

In the dusky light of this afternoon, I seem to be remembering a total eclipse experience from some time in my childhood. [I looked it up - June 20, 1963, I was four.] And with it, a vague and growing sense of gloom - and my mother warning us - whatever you do, do not to look at the sun it will make you go blind.

I'm sure I wondered, how do you avoid looking at the sun when you're realizing, for the very first time – in real time – under an untrustworthy afternoon sky – it's the Sun - not your mother! - who is the most powerful and necessary force in your life? 

Wild grapes ripening in the meadow

An entire un-mowed meadow of lace

Day Lily growing wild in the meadow

All photos and text copyright Kelly DuMar 2017 unless otherwise attributed.