Visiting Butterflies

Headed out for lunch and found a flock (or whatever a group of butterflies are called) had came by the Fort for a quick lunch of their own. I don't remember this ever happening before in the 9 years I've been living here. Usually have only seen this kind of swarm (or whatever) in the country taking advantage of the wide open spaces.

Of the four or so I got pictures of, there were seven or eight in other bushes or otherwise didn't want to stay still long enough to be counted.

An American Painted Lady (Vanessa Virginieensis) -- thank you wikipedia -- necturing in the flowers of the front yard bushes

She's been joined for lunch by a Buckye (Junonia Coenia)

The Buckeye was a little more skitish

But came back to the table anyway

The American Lady was a bit of a picture diva, though

Still posing

And still posing

And yet still posing

This went on for a while

And still posing

A couple more American Painted Ladies joined the party

They were both camera divas as well

Still posing

A Man and His Plane

One of the neighbors was testing a new toy in the field beside the Fort. Looked like an old kid's pedal car, but motorized with an Navy prop plane shell. Looked like fun and reminded me of something I would see in a small town parade.

Preparing for engine start at the taxiway apron

Heading into the Terminal Ramp area

Coming up to the gate

Taxiing for takeoff

Stoping at the hold short line and finishing the preflight checklist

Starting the takeoff roll

Rejecting takeoff and coming to a stop

Checking something that clearly didnt seem right

Heading back to the runway to try again