Don Ray

@donray@mastodon.online

Perfil original

In case anyone was wondering if butterflies like the plentiful Sawtooth Sunflowers...

Imagen adjunta: Red Admiral. A medium-sized butterfly is clinging to the center of a vertically-oriented small, bright-yellow sunflower. The butterfly has its wings partially open, and we see the mottled burnt-orange center and the black trim with numerous white markings.

Imagen adjunta: Monarch Butterfly. Side view of a monarch feeding on a vertically-oriented sunflower. Parts of other sunflowers are seen around the edges of the frame.

Impulsos

Jardín en septiembre, las lluvias de los últimos días le han venido bien. El madroño pequeño tiene unas cuantas bolitas, algunas ya están para recoger, y en el laurel ha crecido una calabaza vinajera.

Imagen adjunta: Frutas rojas esféricas ente hojas verdes.

Imagen adjunta: Se ven ramas con hojas y una calabaza verde alargada colgando de una de ellas. La calabaza es estrecha por el centro y más redonda por abajo.

@rebecaarce

Bien! Que tengas buena cosecha!

He cultivado varios tipos de esas. Y he hecho casitas para pájaros.

En inglés, tenemos una palabra especial para esas calabazas no comestibles: “gourds.” Las que son comestibles son “squash” o “pumpkins.” (Aunque, como siempre con nombres comunes, hay algunos líos con la distinción.)

@rebecaarce

Sí! (Pero no siempre.)

Hago dos tipos. Con las calabazas bastante grandes, hago casas para un tipo de golondrina. Con las no tan grandes hago casitas para el chochín.

Imagen adjunta: Golondrinas (Purple Martins) y su casa de calabaza.

Imagen adjunta: Un chochín (House Wren) saliendo de su casa de calabaza.

Impulsos
19 de septiembre de 2026

The American Persimmons are starting to ripen, and today was the beginning of the PPP (Persimmon Protection Protocol).

Possum #1 has been moved to a secret undisclosed location.

Imagen adjunta: Two ping-pong ball sized persimmons on a twig with green leaves. The upper persimmon has a nice orange color and is almost ripe. The lower persimmon is still mostly pale green with maybe a hint of orange.

Imagen adjunta: Possum #1. A medium-sized possum inside a cage type trap. It is looking at the camera and has its mouth open, showing its pink tongue and small sharp teeth. The possum’s face is white, its ears and eyes black, and its nose pink. Pink toes, too.

Impulsos
18 de septiembre de 2026
17 de septiembre de 2026

Remember the Great Reflecting Pool Failed Upgrade Fiasco?

We did a reenactment this morning — complete with algae and a suspicious character wielding sharp cutting instruments.

Imagen adjunta: A rectangle with a brick perimeter and a clear plastic liner. There is a puddle with greenish algae on the liner. Beyond the puddle is an orange and white cat looking sullenly at the camera.

This week, Iowa 3rd district Rep Zach Nunn was one of 7 Republicans to back a resolution trying to halt tRump’s Iran war.

As Sarah Trone Garriott, his November opponent, points out, Nunn’s been a staunch war supporter. He’s voted against such resolutions 5 times. And just last month, he held campaign events with Sec. of Dumb Wars Hegseth.

Nunn’s latest vote is a classic weasel maneuver.
sarahforiowa.com/supports-iran

16 de septiembre de 2026

Earlier this month, my son traveled to Vancouver to see some aging punk rockers.

He also saw this punk on an aging rock.

Imagen adjunta: A hoary marmot strikes a noble pose atop a craggy boulder. Behind the furry beast, in the distance, is a mountain that appears to be partially snow-covered. Dramatic clouds above.

Impulsos
9 de septiembre de 2026

A wonderfully wet !

Kitty came in to eat some breakfast, then went right back outside. ☔️

Imagen adjunta: Ronronia displays the wet, matted orange fur on her back. The “grain” of the tabby stripes on her neck pairs well with the grain of the wooden floorboards.

8 de septiembre de 2026

Today’s harvest of Lambkin melons — a smaller version of the Piel de Sapo melon.

With these 11 melons, we’ve gone from a good year to an outstanding year. The total so far is around 20 with another 8 or 10 still ripening. Because of poor germination and rabbits, I only ended up with 4 plants — very productive plants!

Imagen adjunta: 11 medium-sized oblong melons on the grass in the shade. The melons are predominantly yellow but also have some green mottling. At the top left are some pruning shears for scale. The melon beside the shears has a small brown patch on the skin — a minor sunburn from last week’s heat wave.