trees = bugs

I grabbed the camera this afternoon as we were out playing in the backyard. We already have pics for stage two of our backyard plants, but they are getting bigger. There has been more growth popping up everywhere because of the rain, and now we have giant mushrooms and mosses. Today however was even more special because we saw some interesting surprises on our plants. First we found a Lady bug, and when reassured that they don't hurt people, Aiden tried to catch it. Then when taking pictures of our huge lilac bush, mom saw a beautiful Monarch butterfly (or so I thought, these are actually Tiger Swallowtail butterflies). Aiden was excited. Then there was two butterflies, and another, and then more. At that point all of the kids had joined in the excitement. There must have been eight different yellow butterflies, one after another!

Mushrooms

A Lady bug on one of our berry bushes.

A butterfly on the lilac bushes.

Tiger Swallowtail butterfly

(This colorful one is the female and the above is the black and yellow male.)