Mystery 1: what IS this? A cocoon? A chrysalis? A leaf folded over and sealed to protect someone from winter's chill?
I noticed this when the shrub dogwood lost it's leaves. All winter I thought it was a couple of leaves that had somehow wrapped around the stem. Today it was [finally] warm enough to investigate.
What could be/have been inside? I think I need to wander over to BugGuide and see if anyone there can ID this... And/or I really need to take an entomology course...
Mystery B: I actually have a good idea what this might be.
Some caterpillar crawled into my Spirea and formed a chrysalis. This is what's left. See that row of dots? I'm thinking Monarch. I certainly have their caterpillars on my Asclepia tuberosa during the summer.
Mystery 3: Where did the snakes go? Yesterday when I went into the garden I could hardly move for snakes (I think I spotted 7 or 8 individuals). Today? One. I guess they all left the hibernaculum where they spent the winter and headed into the woods. Good luck, snakes, see you all in the fall!
Last mystery of the day: WHY does it have to get colder again tomorrow? WHY can't it stay nice and warm and sunny all through the rest of spring and into summer? WHY do I have to live in frigid, arctic New England? [oh, yeah, that last one is because of The Husband's career. Maybe he needs a new career. Or I need a new Husband... Hey, Mr. Subjunctive, want to move to Florida with me? ;)]
I'd probably rather move to New England, actually. I like winter and snow and all that.
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