This week Tina is the host of the Lens-Artists Challenge and her theme is Special Moments. I don’t know if it’s because of COVID and being home so much, or if my yard is especially interesting right now, but I have been blown away by what there is to see, right here at home!  My yard feels like a microcosm of the greater world beyond and I have experienced many special moments marveling at nature  in just the past week, which I share with you now.

For the first time I have sighted all three stages of the Monarch Butterfly life cycle. I believe that the Monarchs have overwintered here in San Jose, as I have spotted adults hovering around from time to time all winter.

 The adults lay their eggs which hatch into caterpillars.

The Caterpillar spins a cocoon and after 8-15 days a new adult butterfly emerges. This is the first time that I have ever seen a chrysalis in my yard and I check it daily.  Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to actually see the butterfly emerge!

Then there was this magnificent Red Tailed  Hawk who appeared at the top of the large cedar tree in the front yard. Again a first sighting!

As well as these babies and other smaller birds.

I close with a few of the beautiful flowers and succulents which are now blooming in the yard.

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