Street Photography
Monarch Butterfly Birthday March 4, 2013
I almost felt like a new grandma seeing her first grandchild being born. Well maybe not quite but it was pretty exiting. The was my second chrysalis that had formed. The first chrysalis has hung for about 5 months and I think it is a goner. I have researched so many websites about monarch butterflies just trying to figure out what is normal for it’s life cycle.
This is the first chryslis from the caterpillar I adopted from a plant at work.
Dried up chrysalis 
I watched it every day and when the caterpillar began to form the J shape I was ecstatic! After I found out through my research (along with my Mom and Aunt doing their own research) that butterflies can make a type of “antifreeze” making it easier to survive the cold nights, I felt there might be hope for my first chrysalis after all; however I wondered why it was taking so long for it to emerge after its’ green shell transformed to a clear shell. The longer it hung on the plant the drier it started to look. It was about 2 1/2 months that it lingered until it finally got a crack on the outer casing. This didn’t look good for the guy. It seemed to dry up inside. January brought some pretty cold nights in Ojai so it must have taken its toll.
but when another caterpillar begun his own transformation on the plant, I turned my my attention to it.
And…….the other one looked like this:
Despite the aphids taking up residence with the chrysalis, one day it happened and I couldn’t believe it. It changed to a see-through shell (pic above) and i could see its delicate wings through the casing. I thought surely it will be hatching soon.
It did it did! So Amazing!
Friends to the Finish March 1, 2013
Krafting Kimmie Friend’s to the Finish
Top photo was taken in the sun & bottom photo in the shade. I was at the my favorite neighborhood coffee shop Coffee Connection when these were taken so I used the backdrops that were available. I just love this coffee shop. The staff are so friendly and the owners are awesome!
I am entering this card into this: Kraftin’ Kimmie Challenge: Fussy Cutting
I cut the runners arm up to about the elbow so that I could put it on top of the ribbon to look like she was crossing the finish line at the end of her race! The sign post was glittered up using my favorite glitter from Sparkle and Sprinkle.
Have a great day!
–Holly
So Happy Together February 28, 2013
Yumi and Fumi Card
The stamp I used for this challenge is the Yumi & Fumi stamp. I first found their stamps at the Carson, CA stamp show and immediately fell in love with their stamps.
I used Copic markers to color the stamp in and fussy cut round the outside of the image. The background papers are from Simple Stories 6×6 pad “Summer Fresh”
Challenge:
Yumi & Fumi Challenge #10 “Case Sandie“
Ojai at Dusk February 19, 2013
Ojai Avenue at Dusk
Most of the time that I see a beautiful sunset on my way home from work, I don’t have my camera. This time was different. I noticed a beautiful sky that was the backdrop of the Ojai Post Office tower one night around 7:30 as I drove home. Since I couldn’t pull over right away I decided to go around the block and park in front of my favorite country diner Bonnie Lu’s. Its moments like this that just take my breath away.
If only wildlife could read. February 11, 2013
Hawk on the line
While taking out the trash, I heard this guy before I spotted him. I searched the trees outside my driveway, but didn’t see him right away. He was calling to another one in the neighborhood. The other one responded from a bit of distance away. Maybe they were communicating with each other. I didn’t notice until about the third shot (of my camera shutter…just to be clear) that he was eating something and it must have been pinned underneath his talons. I am just glad I didn’t see what it was he was devouring!
There is something very special to me about hawks. They seem spiritual and remind me of those who have moved on, reminding me that they are always with me. This is similar to how I feel when I see a butterfly. They too, remind me how fragile this life is yet it keeps recycling the “circle of life.”
Speaking of butterflies, here is a picture of the “generations” of future monarch butterflies.
Future Monarch Butterflies
Waiting for a Monarch January 25, 2013
Patiently waiting…
Almost ready for it magnificent escape, and barely hanging by a thread; this is day 58 in the life cycle from egg, to caterpillar to chrysalis. Normally this takes about 9-14 days from the time the caterpillar changes into a chrysalis then to an emerging butterfly. This little guy has been hanging around for what I believed was way to long. I guessed it must have died in its small green shell. This was my first monarch butterfly chrysalis so I was very invested in watching this take place. I even adopted this caterpillar from an asclepias plant that grows by my office complex.
Our gardeners were cutting back the plant every week and I figured I should take it home. I wanted to make sure it was able to finish its life cycle without the threat of clippers cutting short is life! Some pun intended. So I carefully put it in a cup and drove it home to a safer place. I had three asclepias (Butterfly Weed) plants that I could transfer it to.
Once he started to make his “J” shape on the underside of the leaf I was practically giddy. I went so far as to tell my coworkers the next day that I was going to be a Grandma…to a butterfly. So maybe I should ask them if anyone will be planning a butterfly shower soon!
If this little guy makes it out of his shell soon I just hope the next four days of rain that is forecast will not hinder his journey.
Where do butterflies hide from the rain?
Kraftin’ Kimmie Challenge January 21, 2013
This is my entry into the Kraftin’ Kimmie Challenge for Jan 20th.
This cutie is named Curtis. Found here
“Curtis” from Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps
Colored with my favorite markers: Copics
I used Gina K. paper and the back ground papers were from My Minds Eye Reunion.
The metal embellishments were cut from a soda can with sizzix flower die and my cuttlebug.
September Sunset in Ojai September 18, 2012
Sunsets in Ojai have been pretty spectacular lately. Its a view from the tip of highway 150 where it
intersects with Ventura Ave hwy 33.
