When our area of the Gulf Coast received the good word that temps were going to drop drastically and quickly it was almost too much to believe. I made plans to tackle all the weeds that survived the drought that
fell like a sledge hammer after a summer of excessive rain and killer heat.
I received a midnight mail that drew me away from those plans and sent me back
to the Santa Rosa Sound for an early AM Tuesday rendezvous. It seems that there
have been streams of migrating birds doing what many northern folks dream of -
heading south for the winter.
Expectations were high that the cold front that finally would let me get out
there to do my long neglected yard duties would be a harbinger for flocks of
birds that we seldom see as they flee for warmer climes. The more I dwelled on
the information the more I realized just how smart birds have been, forever.
I decided to hit the Sound before dawn, even though the Google forecast said it
would be cloudless, which meant a thirty second window for dawn photography.
For the first time since my boiled brain can remember, the morning temps were
going to be in the 60's!
When I arrived at the Navarre State Park, I knew from the time I walked toward
the Sound that there would be no great find of migrating birds.

I was surprised to find a flock of twelve Canadian Geese that had settled in one of the far tidal ponds that I always venture out to.
In Minnesota, these birds take over everything, everywhere and make a massive
mess of ponds, parking lots and just about anywhere their massive groups decide
to call home. Some never leave Minnesota if they can find an open pond and an
open hand. I laughed and cringed thinking that these big birds had somehow
followed me to a place so unlike Canada and Minnesota. I guess I never really
thought about where those that actually left the north, went. Not sure I still
know since I have no idea where this group is going.
The day didn't end just yet.
I came home, went to the Milton Walking Trail where again I was told there were
many lovely local and visiting birds to behold. A three mile hike was invaded
by the gas company digging drilling and making enough noise to raise the dead,
locals on tractors and golf carts and the rest of the VERY loud chatty
bicyclists, I saw a couple of blue birds and an unidentified skipper. Oh well,
I needed the exercise. Again, the challenged critters know how to survive,
regardless of human presence.

I finally got home and decided that I had to mow the decimated lawn just to have all the weeds at one level. I left the butterfly zones alone, but even before I started, it seemed that all the critters – flying walking or creeping
(except the gigantic bumble bees) had taken a time out.

When I finally got done feeding, watering and dragging my tucus into the house, I opened the last of the locked doors, made myself a bite to eat and settled into my living room. For the first time since spring, I
had my deck door open to let the cool air in.

I was watching the birds playing through my walk- through screen door. In Florida you learn the value of not bothering putting in solid, hurricane destroyable screen doors. I was tired, but thought it pleasant that
one of the Gulf Fritillary butterflies had perched on the outside of the floppy
screen and was flapping about. I finally realized that the dear thing was on
the inside of the loosely attached screen.

When I walked over to it, sure enough, here was a new Gulf Frit trying to get to the garden! I simply lifted the screen and the beauty flew right out and headed for the flowers. While I stood there watching, my
attention drew upwards and then I saw something that really stunned me!

Along the inside of the drop screen there were at least ten Gulf Fritillary empty and still occupied chrysalises!

The caterpillars that were dropped as eggs on my Passion Vines by a female butterfly they never knew, became first in-star tiny caterpillars, went through at least two further in-star changes while still on
the Passion Vines, then somehow had the foresight to crawl from their host
plant, across my deck and then under a drop-screen door, to the top of the
inside sill before they morphed in order to protect themselves.

I don’t know about you – but I find that is just amazing!

Humans should have such skills!.