Wilson: Good morning, mates. Welcome. Will you take a look at that gigantic pink-spotted hawk moth. That’s a large but gentle sphinx moth, also known as the sweet potato hornworm. Those moths range in size from 9.5 to 12 cm (3.7 to 4.7 inches) and feature a grayish-brown body with wavy dark lines on the forewings with some pink bands on the sides of the abdomen and at the base of the hind wings, which are usually hidden when the moth is resting. We almost missed it on the trail pathway and Mum took me back to check it out closely on our way back home from our morning walk a few days ago. Sure, I wanted to taste him but you can imagine that didn’t exactly fly with Mum’s agenda. Sheesh, sometimes, she treats me like a toddler as if I’m going to put everything in my mouth. Oh wait, I probably would, given half a chance. My bad. Moving along.
The Mum: Yes, I have to watch you like a hawk so make sure you don’t eat critters and plants that aren’t good for you. You act like you’re starving all the time and I don’t want you eating something that’s not good for you.
Wilson: Oh Mum…you get so carried away sometimes. My soft tongue would have gently caressed that moth…initially.
The Mum: I’m sure he wouldn’t have enjoyed a bath from you. While the pink-spotted hornworm moths are not poisonous to dogs, there’s no reason for you to lick one to death.
Wilson: Sometimes you take all the joy out of life, Mum. I thought I’d pose at the butterfly mural in its honor. Mum didn’t quite get the angle lined up on the wings but I think I make a nice looking and colorful butterfly.
The Mum: Yeah, I misjudged photographing you but needed to quickly snap a photo before a bicyclist came around the corner. Didn’t want you to be startled.
Wilson: It’s ok, Mum. I’m mostly grateful you were once again closely hovering over me looking out for my best interests. You do know I’m pretty good with a sit-stay pose, right? Just a reminder for you. So can I share some good news here?’
The Mum: Of course. What would you like to share?
Wilson: Well as everyone knows, Colorado has been suffering from a severe drought and our neighborhood in particular has been repeatedly shortchanged by Mother Nature on the moisture front. We were able to measure the rain in inches instead of droplets. Well, Wednesday we received a lovely shower that last for over 30 minutes and likely received over three fourth’s of an inch. It was fantastic. We can still use more but that made for a lovely evening. Just check out how much water remained in one of the water retention ponds in the neighborhood the next morning. We sure hope that tree didn’t mind being in the standing water and hope it doesn’t negatively impact it.
The Mum: It was so welcomed, I kept think it was going to end and went out on the porch several times to check it out and was thrilled it lasted for a long time.
Wilson: Finally, we noticed a volunteer cherry tomato plant popped up in a planter box. We hadn’t given it much thought but I know you smiled when you first spotted it a couple of weeks ago. This week, you saw that it was flowering. Thinking it probably wouldn’t have enough time to produce any tomatoes, imagine our surprise when we found little baby tomatoes on it! With warm days and cool night, it just might make a couple tasty ‘maters before the first frost.
The Mum: It really did bring a smile to my face and was the last thing I expected in a planter that was planted with lettuce. The lettuce sprouted from seeds that were planted in the spring which was a good thing too with all the news about Cyclospora of bagged lettuce. While I wasn’t overly excited about that variety of leaf lettuce, the two volunteer tomato plants made me almost giddy. We’ll see what happens. But I’m always excited when volunteers sprout. Those little cherry tomatoes are always so tasty. Those seedlings came from a tomato plant from our old house last year so it just seemed like quite a miracle.
Wilson: Glad it brought you some joy, Mum. It’s not been an overly great year with our potted veggies but this kind of makes up for it.Well that’s it from us this week. We hope everyone has a terrific autumn weekend. Are the trees in your neighborhood turning yet. Things have been a bit slow here but Mum noticed they are slowly starting around our house. Enjoy the weekend!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Cheers for Fall and for rain for you all! 🥳🥳
You look charming with the beautiful purple butterfly wings behind you. 😊
Hope you had a wonderful day! 🩷
Thanks! The weekend was warm but this week will be in the 60’s and 70’s and a few chances of rain so we’re keeping our paws crossed.
🧡💚
Moths probably don’t like any kind of bath, I would imagine.
May you be blessed with more rain.
You’re a very good looking butterfly and congratulations on the volunteer tomatoes!
Thank you! We considered ourselves very lucky with those volunteers. Especially since the seeds are a year old.
Wilson enjoys all kinds of encounters with butterflies and moths. Mostly I think he wants to taste them. He’s so silly. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
THE Moth iss so purrty!! You nose wee not seen ANY Mothss up heer this yeer..weerd rite? Youss’ got rain!! Wee doin a *happy dance* 😉
That iss funny how THE toe-mato popped up inn THE Lettuce planter Miss Monika an Wilson….wunder how it gotted there???
Wee love yore postss; allwayss kewl stuff to reed aobut an grate fotoss’!
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an (((huggiess))) BellaSita Mum
That planter was next to two tomato plants in my garden…last year!! I was blown away that seeds germinated. Probably from those hoodlum squirrels in my old neighborhood. LOL
The Fall weather is definitely moving in. We had over 3 inches of rain last week…more than we had had all year!
That’s awesome. Good for you. We had a small shower yesterday evening which made me happy. Everything looked so lush on this morning’s walk. We’re loving the color temps.
Hey Wilson, I enjoyed your post and it’s very cool that you found Mothra! Hooray for some rain and a brave little tomato giving it a go. Have a fun weekend you two!
Mothra. Hahaha…good one, Terry. Glad you enjoyed the post. We received another little shower last night. Mum says color her happy as a clam at high tide. Have a great weekend!
That moth looks kind of scary…
Glad you got some rain! And I hope you get to eat some yummy tomatoes!
Those moths are so big but seem very gentle and calm. Thanks, we received another shower last night which was most appreciated. I think we have a couple of dry days ahead with slightly warmer temps, but autumn is shaping up as lovely so far. We’re going to enjoy it as long as we can! Have a wonderful weekend.
Charlee: “MOTH!!!”
Lulu: “Wilson! What big and colorful ears you have!”
The better to hear Mum open a package of cheese with, Lulu. Have a great weekend!
We are happy to have a lot of lettuce growing too. That is a big moth and you make a cute butterfly. XO
Thanks. That mural turned out to be perfect for Dolly Parton Day. This whole lettuce thing is kinda scary so growing our own made good sense. Have a wonderful autumn weekend.
The fall weather is just so exquisitely delicious. Cool nights and mornings and lovely afternoons with zero humidity. I would take this year round.
As for that rain, WOW! I’m glad you guys got a sustained rainfall for once.
And that tomato is bee-uuu-tee-FULL!
As for our resident butterfly, Wilson is a gem.
You’re too kind, Marc. It’s been such a lovely week…in fact a lovely shower is going on as I type this. Lots of loud claps of thunder and a nice gentle rain. With temps in the low 60’s, I couldn’t ask for a nicer day. Here’s hoping your weekend is as stupendous as ours. Enjoy!
Another one? That’s amazing!
Enjoy every minute of it and you do the same mama.
It’s just heavenly! And I’m enjoying every single droplet!
Woot!
The tomato plants would thrill me as well. We just haven’t had any luck with them. I think Wilson is mighty handsome with those wings, although a little high on the body. I’m glad you got some rain. We have been missing out lately. We are forecasted to get some at the end of next week, along with temps in the high 80s. I’m going to look for my knitted cap and shearling jacket. Happy weekend to you.
LOL, my sis in Bastrop is probably looking for her sweatshirt. My potted plants didn’t do well either, John so I was ecstatic that year old seeds germinated. Just heard a huge clap of thunder so I’m hoping that means there’s some moisture about to happen. Fingers crossed. Have a great weekend and stay warm. {wink}
It feels like Sept. has simply flown right by, whoosh! I am glad you received some good rain, hurrah, and the temps are feeling better for you. The tree in the rain pond looks like a willow, so I expect it is quite happy with wet feet. 💦
Yeah that tree is a type of willow and has looked pretty bedraggled. We lost a tree at the other end-it was super stressed. Have a lovely autumn weekend.
Haha! I love the butterfly mural!
Isn’t it colorfully stunning? I just love it! Have a great weekend!
Rain, lucky you! I forget what it’s like…although we are supposedly expecting the super El Nino wet winter here in SoCal.
Thanks-that shower was heavenly. The weather people here keep telling us the same thing. So far it’s been a dud in my neighborhood though other areas around town have been getting lots of rain. but I learned you take what you can get here in Colorado when it comes to moisture. Have a wonderful weekend, Lisa.
Lucy: Hi Wilson. I’m always hungry too. And I’ll eat, er, lick, anything, too. Maybe it’s cause we’re “big” dogs (well, at least in comparison to my little sisters) and we need more food than the big bowlful, um, I mean, the little tiny bit we get (twice a day for me).
Amy: That little tomato really is a smile maker! And it got cooler here, too, with the first day of autumn. It’s like the weather knew what day and season it was!
Exactly, Lucy! We have to maintain more furry real estate than little pups. Mums just don’t seem to understand that.
Mum giggled at first sight of that baby tomato. Even if it doesn’t ripen before the first frost, she was thrilled and excited when to see it and frankly was pretty in awe that nature allowed it to germinate. We hope you have a lovely weekend.
Your fur-iend,
Wilson, the hungry hippo sheepdog
we live in a desert here too… but we hope the rain can help to get something like a meadow …hugs and ahappy weekend to you
We’re big fans of meadows and hope there’s moisture for you soon.
Cherry tomatoes have been crazy here, so many! I love them! It is beautiful here too and chester has been enjoying his walks. Best time of year for sure.
Thanks, Martha. It’s the best time of the year in our books. Mum is even thinking of checking out a nearby pumpkin patch since she doesn’t think the changing leaves probably won’t be all that vivid this year due to the heat and lack of moisture. Enjoy your walks, Chester. Maybe your mum will share a cherry tomato with you when you get back home. Have a dynamite weekend.
Your fur-iend,
Wilson 🐾
No love for the Sphinx moth. Way too many tomatoes lost to that evil moth’s early stage over the years. I see that the forecast for Denver are for the El Nino season is 40% chance of heavy rains – sounds like you’ll get your weather wish and Mr. Wilson will be needing his raincoat. Have a good weekend!
Oops, perhaps they can’t read and thought someone said nosh on tomatoes instead of potato plants. While for forecast has been very enthusiastic this will be a super El Niño year, our neighborhood is being treated like a stepchild. One thing I’ve learned living in this state, you can never have too much moisture. Wishing you and the Mauser a splendid weekend.
Glad you got rain ~ we can send you some more ~ Tropical Storm predicted for this weekend in MA ~ Hugs ^_^
https://anartistreflects.com
Thank you. I just heard there was a big Nor ‘easter forecast for this weekend. Stay safe and as dry as you can. Hugs and tail wiggles.
How wonderful you had rain! It is always fun to get volunteers. I hope you do get a few tomatoes. 🍅
Thanks, Julia. It was the kind of shower we’ve only dreamt about the past several years. I’m hoping that planter is protected enough that those baby cherry tomatoes can ripen before the first frost. Have a wonderful weekend.
You too!
Not sure where our comment went? Hope it showed up, it just disappeared after we hit comment.
It’s here…never fear. Sometimes I swear WordPress experiences mini-strokes. Sorry.
Trees are starting to turn here a bit which is nice and the temps have been cool. We need more rain as well, but it is only coming in tiny amounts. As for eating on walks, you should walk with Henry. Suddenly he is putting everything in his mouth. Mom is constantly stopping and fishing things out. We have to really watch him so he doesn’t swallow anything really bad. Happy Friday!
I don’t think the colors are going to be universally vibrant this year. Too much heat I suspect and too little moisture. We sure are enjoying the cooler temps and the other evening’s shower was such a gift. We can always use mopre, but it was a great gift from Mother Nature. Tell me about un-approved eating on walks. Argh. You have my sympathies. Have a lovely weekend.
Wilson, so happy to hear some decent rain arrived there. I know your area has been suffering a lot. We’ve been the exact opposite this year – the best summer for consistent rain and cooler temperatures I can recall in ages. Those purple butterfly wings look great on you. The baby cherry tomatoes are also a very welcome sight, and what a surprise based on the potted veggie season The Mum had. Have a great weekend!
Thank you, Bruce. Those volunteer tomato plants were such a pleasant surprise given that they germinated from last year’s tomato plant that was near that planter in our old garden across town. And with it being so ungodly hot this summer, they were a delightful curiosity. That pot is in a protected area so we’re hopeful they will ripen. Have a wonderful autumn weekend.
Didn’t know Colorado had a draught. I think my sis in Indiana would share some rain.
Truth of the matter is the state has been in drought conditions for the past 25 years, but this year has been especially pronounced. This morning, I heard a news story that Dillion Reservoir may only be half full next spring and it supplies a good deal of the metro areas’ water. Yikes! Thanks for the sharing thought. Have a great weekend, Jacqui.
Not too many signs of fall here yet but the temps were high until this week. Nights are cooling down! Yay! Waking up to 70+ degrees is not refreshing. We’ve had a lot of rain after a dry spring. Hopefully it evens out. Good luck to your tomatoes. Always a crap shoot this late in the season…but maybe…
It seems surprising just how slowly the leaves are changing this year. I know just what you mean about waking up to crisp temps. It’s been in the low to mid-50’s every morning and both Wilson and I are absolutely loving it. I’m hoping the protected spot will allow a couple of cherry tomatoes to ripen. There’s nothing better taste wise. Warm days and cool nights make tomato plants very happy here. We’re lucky that the altitude helps ripen them sooner than at sea level. Enjoy a terrific autumal weekend.
So glad for the water. I hope more is on the way for you! Very interesting moth.
Thanks, we’ve got our paws crossed. Those maths are ginormous which alone makes them very fascinating. Enjoy a wonderful weekend.
We are off to a Tater Festival tomorrow. Should be a riot. Tater catapult, mash potato sculpting contest, cowpie bingo. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog! Have a good weekend yourself.
How fun! Can’t wait to see that post. Have a wonderful time and enjoy a tater or two for us.
I’m so glad you guys got some much needed rain. We have a lot coming our way this weekend. I wish I could run a rain gutter from my blog to yours. I hope you get to see the volunteer tomatoes ripen before the frost sets in on them. Have a great weekend.
Thanks, Dan. To say we were thrilled with the amount of rain that fell would be an understatement. Thanks for the digital rain gutter-the thought made me smile. I’m hoping the protected area where that tomato pot is located will allow for a at least a couple of them ripening. I so love cherry tomatoes! Try to stay as dry as you can and have a great weekend.
Oh my! Thanks for the birthday greeting and I’m honored to be celebrating on “Dolly’s Day”……Nine-Two-Five…..love it!! I also love that photo of you dear Wilson with the butterfly wings although it looks more like elephant-sized lavender ears (tee hee). Isn’t it special you have two bonus tomato plants as a surprise in your garden. We hope you are able to enjoy RIPE tomatoes before we get frosty this Fall. Again – thanks so much for the birthday wishes – means the world to have wonderful sweet friends like you!!!!
Love, Pam (and Teddy too)
We’d celebrate you even if it was Dolly Parton Day but how cool is it that you’ll get to share the day with the likes of her. That purple butterfly wings is so intense-I’ve wanted to take a pic of it since we moved in late last year. We’re definitely got our paws crossed those baby tomatoes have enough time to ripen. The fact that last year’s seeds germinated blew me away. Have a wonderful birthday and fantabulous weekend.