Fool's April

Day 170: Today us with fun Fool's April little a having are Gods Weather the that seem would it. Morning this curtains the back threw I when eyes my greeted what is this. Morning yesterday failed phone and intternet my before said it what that's least at or, feet 2800 be to supposed was level snow. Bit a by missed they, obviously. Days six next the for elevation my at persists snow of possibility the...again down is internet my because, can't and get to tried just I which...forecast latest the to according."Last at fool biggest the is past is Fool's when fools who he," say to used mother my rhyme that was what? Note take, Gods Weather. Far too going is this but, joke a is joke a.

Rose-Breasted Sparrow, Zonotrichia Rosea

Day 170: Nothing is more exciting to me than adding a new species to a Life List, whether it is a bird, plant, lichen or fungus. This morning, a solitary specimen of Zonotrichia rosea (Rose-Breasted Sparrow) was dining on the scattered seed below one of my feeders. The white supraorbital line was the first clue I had that this bird was something new to my experience, and as I made note of the other field characteristics (the blush on the face and neck, the white patch at the back of the head and the lightly flecked, warm brown scapulars), I rushed for my five-foot shelf of field guides. I will have to check with our local chapter of the Audubon society, but I do not believe this species has been observed previously in Pierce County, or perhaps in western Washington.

And if you're buying this story, you need to check your calendar. My profuse apology to the White-Crowned Sparrow I have so thoroughly abused with PaintShop Pro.

Fashionably Geek

Day 171: It's been a little over five years since I had new glasses, and I decided I wanted to move away from rimless to something which looked a little more studious. My optician told me I was in luck. It seems that "geek" is now quite fashionable. She laid out a dozen pair of frames for me to try on, and I quickly narrowed it down to two choices. It's difficult to tell what you look like in a mirror when your vision is as poor as mine, but I finally selected these. I think I may have to do something different with my hair, though...maybe a buzz cut?

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And if you buy this self-portrait, you're an April Fool! The truth of the matter is that my new glasses haven't arrived yet. I spent the day out in my kayak.

Papilio Niveus, Snow Swallowtail

Day 170: The larval stage of the uncommon-to-rare Papilio niveus is almost identical to that of P. zelicaon, but there can be no mistaking it due to its predilection for emerging in early spring at higher elevations, often while snow is still on the ground. This caterpillar feeds exclusively on bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). In the third instar of the caterpillar's development, small red or red-brown warts containing a bitter and toxic alkaloid appear on the third and fourth segments, deterring attacks from Steller's Jays, the species' primary predator. These warts are also present during the pupal phase, but disappear in the mature butterfly. The adult is distinguished from other Swallowtails by purplish, fringed margins on the hind-wings. Additionally, if you've believed a word of this, you should be aware that you have been browsing an April Fools' Day field guide. This caterpillar is a plastic replica of a larval Anise Swallowtail.