Zoo, zoo, zoo

Calvin's first written word was zoo. I'm surprised, in fact, that it wasn't his first spoken word. It should not, therefore, surprise you that we were at the zoo again a few days ago, this time with friends. We've gone and had a great time with Noah and Isaac before and this was no different. As the boys grow older it is fun to observe the changes in their dynamics and interactions. Calvin brought along his magnifying glass today and all three boys had a fun time with it, mostly in making themselves lop-eyed monsters. And no two trips to the zoo are ever alike; aside from the variations in child behavior, the animals always treat us to something new and wonderful on each visit. Today the binturong, whom we have always observed as a faintly discernable shadow in the back doorway, was actually sleeping out in the open; a frog was hanging out in plain view in the fish pond; the flamingoes were honking away.

Probably my very favorite picture from this trip—discussing fungus.

Project 365, days 246-252

246-248—playing in Chicago with Curtis and Julie; 249—tomato hornworm eating our tomatoes; 250—sleepy dog in the sunshine; 251—bumblebee in the sedum, must be fall; 252—fun time at the park.

Chicago for Labor Day

Where else would we spend the long weekend? Since we have gotten most of the yard work done for the year, that is. It had been a while since we visited Curtis and his digs in Chicago so we packed up the night before and headed out early Friday morning in order to avoid general holiday traffic. Curtis can really make the big city feel like a small one—we picked up fresh meat at the local market, ate at a restaurant where he knew most of the staff, and played in a local neighborhood playground. He can also show it off to its full advantage, mile upon mile upon mile—on Friday we drove to the Aquarium, on Saturday we took through the city to dinner, and on Sunday we walked the four plus scenic miles to the beach and Navy Pier. It was the best of many worlds.

This was actually our second time at the aquarium, though I'd forgotten how incredibly expensive it is. And how worth it. It was a serious discovery visit for our curious four year old.

We caught a 4-D movie, then settled in to watch the fantastic dolphin show they've always been known for. I still remember taking in their great water show back in middle school, and I think we were all looking forward to it.

Unfortunately, like Sesame Street and so many other wonderful entertainments from our childhood, the Shedd Aquarium water show has become over-produced, over-technologied, and over-acted. We wanted to see dolphins, penguins, and beluga whales, but we saw more of the changing lights, wire-flown people, and the probably over-paid six year old with the disgusting fake smile (who we were supposed to believe was indiscriminately chosen from the audience, liars) than we did the beautiful animals. I wrote them a letter.

 The rest of the aquarium was amazing, though. Really enjoyable.

There are lots more Aquarium pictures in the Chicago album.

Then we rowed our way back to the condo to grill fresh steaks on the roof and take in a gorgeous sunset, even if it was a tad windy and chilly.

Saturday we shopped resale just for the aesthetics of it, and used books for the good literature. We also tried the door at the Museum of Holography, but we, like the people wo left he note on the door in the dust, knew it wouldn't be open.

Shopping in Chicago is fun. Duh.

And the next best thing about Chicago (besides the company, of course) is the food. Duh. Though Calvin might say it was the train ride we took to the fabulous, fabulous Mexican restaurant where Curtis knew everyone and we took our own wine.

Sunday was the most beautiful of all the days so we spent it outside, heading to the beach while touring the city on foot.

And the Navy Pier, of course.

 And a final night, this one absolutely beautiful, of grilling and eating on the roof.

Julie was there, too. And Calvin is the new photographer. It was a great trip, and now we're home. More pictures in the Chicago album.

Project 365, days 239-245

239—the master painter working in the garage where paint spills don't matter; 240—bubbles after working hard in the garden all day; 241—three new trees planted in the back yard! 242—bubbles in a late summer sun; 243—our butterflies eclosed early in the morning; 244—one final day of splashing at Independence Lake; 245—splashing in our own pool between the rain showers.

Empty chrysalis syndrome

Our black swallowtails finally emerged and left. Having read that they remained as chryslids for only 8-10 days we had come to believe that they were planning to winter over with us, since they had gone into that state while we were still up at Walloon, 14, 15, and 18 days ago. We were surprised and excited, then, to find one of hte shells empty on Sunday afternoon. Having missed the take off of Larry, our first caterpillar turned black swallowtail, we were determined to keep a closer eye on Curly Parsley and Moe so as not to miss the great show. to give them more room we had tied their smaller sticks to longer ones and propped them in an open (never used) bird feeder on our deck table.

This morning we were finally rewarded. Right after eclosing the butterfly has a body distended with fluid and wings folded tightly against the body. They then pump the fluid out of their abdomen and into the veins of their wings to spread them open. These two eclosed probably 4-5 minutes apart, although we missed Moe (on the right) emerging. This picture was taken at 8:48am.

Just four minutes later at 8:52 Curley Parsley (on the left) has significantly altered his appearance. The chrysalis is still there on the stick. Notice that it is no longer dark in color now that the black butterfly is out.

A closer look at Moe so you can see the veins running through her wings. Curly Parsley and Moe were both females, a specific that can be determined by the spot formation on their wings—big yellow spots on the male, smaller yellow spots on the female.

Here is Moe stretching out her proboscis, making sure she's ready to get nectar from the plants she finds.

Stretching and sunning. This was right before Moe took off. Curly Parsley (on the right here) wasn't that far behind time wise, but she stuck around for another 30 minutes.

This is pobably best chance we've ever had, and probably will ever have, to take such a close look at a butterfly.

And just two final shots of Curly Parsley before she took off to look for nectar plants and a mate. Good luck Curly.

Awesome.