Jack, they are beautiful photos. And the beautiful butterfly is wonderful!!

Pat, I am very glad I can see you here.

A dragonfly that wings were black stopped on the tree of azalea in my backyard. And it sometimes opened those wings.
It is Calopteryx atrata and native to Asia, where it is widespread in China, Korea, and Japan.
I think it is slightly incomprehensible.

Sachiko....
....it is almost camouflaged, I can see how it gets away with almost not being spotted, with its dark leaf shaped wings.....

Vanilla-Jackie, thanks a lot for your comment. I was anxious about me whether you found the dragonfly in the photo.

Great capture of the dragonfly, Sachiko.  We see them here quite a bit but difficult to get a clear photo.  You must have trailed that one around to get it so clear against the azalea leaves that are much the same shape. My son was standing on the top of the river bank (level with the house) late one evening and was delighted to see so many dragon flies darting all around, all the way down to the river.... dozens & dozens darting back & forth for no apparent reason.  I see them dart down for a drink in the swimming pool all the time.  I've never checked to see what they eat (but will now).

Oh, Patricia, I don't disagree with you that changes are being made, I just think it is "out of my hands" as far as doing anything about it.  I've been changing to LED lights in my house and don't leave them on all over like I see some houses.  You know how I love the outdoors so am a moderate about everything.  Last night I did a Google about chiggers and discovered this humidity is why they are so bad this year, plus we didn't have any extended hard freezes during the winter, so lots of bugs survived to torment.  The web sites recommend not letting cats out but it would be more humane to have these put to sleep than deny them freedom.  Keeping up with the cats (and house) is my worry and I am losing control with them & it. 

Most interesting (to me)..http://www.dragonfly-site.com/what-do-dragonflies-eat.html

 

Bubble and I attended our official Engagement party on Sunday attended by my sons and spouses, my grandchildren and spouses (where applicable) and my great-grandchildren.

PS. I couldn't rotate the picture; can somebody do it for me?

Got you right side up!   

Did anyone ever see a happier couple?   

Wonderful photo of the two of you!

Don, ET, your happiness is so obvious and it is also infectious, you cant help but smile with you. Congratulations.

Shirley, thanks a lot for your comment. The back of our washroom is our hill at the back. The dragonfly perched on an azalea planted in our hill at the back . Therefore I opened the window calmly and photographed it. In fact, I wanted to take the movie, but it was too slow and was not able to photograph the chance that the dragonfly opened the wings.

What a lovely photo of you both.

I'm so excited as I'm hoping to see you both tomorrow.  Just so happy that my niece will have the day off to drive me to London, Ontario and we're going to go out for supper together!!!

Pat. Glad to see you posting. Seems like its been awhile. Great you will be meeting Don. and Ethy tomorrow.  She has the perfect name in here. "Bubbles" Look at that smile on their faces.  You take a photo for us also.

Bubble and Don. Have a great day. Sounds like you party was great. Good all family could attend.

Bubble, Don, Congratulations!  What wonderful photo of the two of you!

Bubble and Don, what a nice picture.  I am sure your party was a great celebration.  How nice that Pat can meet with you too. 

Mary Ann

Missed the reminders then found out that with my update I lost connection and had to log in.   

Sachiko, a great photo and yes the Dragonfly tried to hide but your photo caught him.

Bubble and Don that is a great photo, bet you had a wonderful day and good to know Pat will be meeting you tomorrow.

Yes, Jeanne, for sure I'm taking my camera--my Nikon D7100 and a little point and shoot and my cell phone!  So, I'll get some photos! 

Going to bed early tonight so I'll be able to make this trip.  It's been a long drawn out illness time for me and I'm beginning to feel like a captive inside my house!!!  So will look forward so much to tomorrow.

Wonderful day in Photos! So happy to see you posting, Pat, and a big "Welcome Back"  to Jeanne Lee.

Then to make the day even better, a beautiful photo of Bubble and Don!  You both look wonderful and so happy!

Pat - Hope you are feeling a little better......been too long since we've talked.

Jack - Love those flowers. We have butterflies here once in awhile. I saw a black swallowtail one day but no picture....By the time I get my camera they are gone.

Sachiko - I had no problem seeing the dragonfly. The ones we have here aren't so delicate looking.

Shirley - When we lived in Bristow. OK we were in the path of the migrating monarchs. What a sight to see when you look up at the sky and there are swarms of them. Unfortunately a lot of them stop to rest and end up hit by cars on the roads. They land on the cars and the pavement. 

JEANNE, I am sorry to say we have not seen the bar you speak of with the plane coming out the front, but we both have a memory of hearing about it. 

I just found this book that tells about the bar we are speaking of.  Maybe you can check it out. 
An Expat's Life, Luxembourg & the White Rose: Part of an ...
https://books.google.com › books
David Robinson - 2004 - ‎Travel
In its time it was called The Cockpit Inn. Sadly, as we discovered, the site is now another block of flats. The bar used to ...

We were also sad to see the McDonalds in Trier, as well as one at the end of our street in Bitburg.  They just looked out of place! The history in Trier is amazing. 

SACHIKO, we have dragon flies here in Colorado but they are a iridescent green in color, not dark like yours are. 

DON and BUBBLE, your picture taken at your engagement party is wonderful.  Just so happy for both of you. 

JACK, I just read your email and appreciate your offer to help me out.  I hope I can get some time in the near future to find some photos that you might work with.  Thank you so much. 

SHIRLEY, although we did get to see many sights while in Europe, most of them were associated to Bob's job.  We retreated not seeing more than we did but his career field did not allow him to use leave as much as we would have liked to have. 

PAT, I am so excited to know that you will be seeing Don and Bubble tomorrow.....I KNOW well how good you are at taking pictures, so know for sure we will see some.  Hope the trip will not wear you out too much. 

SHIRLEY, the Canadian Geese stay here year round and have for many years.  Wow, glad you were able to help the hawk without getting hurt. 

Heading off to bed.  Pleasant dreams to all.

Jenny

Such a treat to see your smiling faces, Bubble & Don....wishing you both health & years of happiness for your future..... and safe travels as you commute between families!  Life is as fun as you want to make it... 

DON and BUBBLE....
....Such a delightful and happy photo of the two of you, I am also assuming Bubbles family were also there enjoying the official celebration engagement party, along with your, ( Dons ) family....just that they hadn't been mentioned, and I know some travelled with her.......

How lovely that Pat will be out there soon to meet up with the pair of you....

Personally I think the two of you are the perfect match, for a start, you both share a passion for " The Arts and The Classics...." 

Wonderful picture of Bubble and Don!   So happy for you both.  Congratulations !!!

Nice to see Pat back and so nice that you will get to visit with Bubble and Don.   Will look for some great pictures.  So happy that you are feeling better.

Joy

I loved seeing those happy faces when I opened this forum this morning, Bubble and Don!  I just couldn't be happier and more pleased that you two are finding a life together.  My most heart felt best wishes to you both. 

Great photo of happiness and best wishes to both of y ou.

Bubble and Don, you make my heart happy, and my face is smiling with yours. Have a joyful party dear friends.

Pat, I am so thankful you will be able to get "out" and have some happiness in change of scenery. You have been "incarcerated" by illness for too long a time. This will be good for you dear.

Jack, Beverly, Denver, thak you very much for your comments.
Both the butterfly and the dragonfly flew in my garden, but I uploaded the photos of rare Calopteryx atrata.

Do not know what the plant is, but tonight two butterfly's

Jack, very beautiful butterflies!

Very nice photos, Jack.  The second butterfly looks a little different with that red section