I was delighted to find this guy, and 5 more like it, in my milkweed yesterday. I have seen only one Monarch in my yard this year, same as last year. In the past there was always dozens and dozens flitting about from late June through early September.

I sent my brother a postcard similar to the following during our trip to Block Island After I sent it I tried to get a similar picture of my own. So I went to the Mohegan Bluffs that were pictured and went down the staircase there. One problem is that the staircase doesn't go all to way to the beach. The other problem is that the lighthouse isn't visible from that part of the beach. It seemed that it might be visible from further up the beach, and it was a beautiful day, so I started walking When I got to that distant point, the lighthouse was visible, but just barely After the hike and the climb back up the staircase, I went to the lighthouse a short way up the road. In the end I figured out that either: 1) the postcard image was taken from somewhere up on top of one of the cliffs, or 2) it was taken years ago before they moved the lighthouse further away from the cliff edge to keep it from falling in the ocean. or 3) they doctored the image using photoshop Look it even has a sailboat now. :-)

At the "Fiber Farm" on Block Island where they had the too-cute alpacas, they have machines that make various fibers into yarn, they also have a few items made from their fiber, including a jellyfish. and octopus and an alpaca

I haven't seen a Monarch yet this year. Nice one! This is one of many little round "button" fungi that popped up after our long rain. It was the largest--less than an inch in diameter.