CMO today

I got my two new feeder stands cemented in place today. Here's one. They're identical.

As you can see in the above photo, it clouded up and looked like it might rain. But only got a little sprinkle. Good thing I was able to harvest a little rain water last month or my reserves would be precariously low right now.

Saw a couple of worn Question Marks feeding on apricots.

...but today's highlight was a gorgeous fresh Two-tailed Swallowtail (female, per my guru, Brian). It seemed to favor the Standing Cypress. 

The Standing Cypress surprised me when it sprouted on its own, but more surprising was that it bloomed this year. I had always been told it only blooms the second year. Seeing the Two-tailed Swallowtail feeding on it was so awesome. Made all my work worth it ten times over. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful butterfly.

Naturally, I couldn't stop photographing it. After feeding, she rested in the shade. Caught that too.

Other than that, I got a little watering done since without electricity Thursday I hadn't watered everything. In this 100° heat every day it would be great if I could water daily but that can't happen. I leave a drip on the cottonwood tree and water everything else as best I can.

While picking apricots today I got stung by wasps. The first sting this morning was quite normal as wasp stings go, but the second one this afternoon was really a doozy. I had to put ice on it and it still hurts and is swollen. Wasps are eating the fruit and they hide behind, or inside it, and as careful as I am, I sometimes get stung. Gonna wear leather gloves tomorrow. The peaches are nearly ready too. I'll be glad when the fruiting time is over, though we love it fresh or dried.

Working out in the heat all day did me in. But I'm sure I'll be energized by morning.