Uncategorized – Hellstrip Heaven

Spring Flowers at the Cascades

Rescue isn’t always Happy

Rescue isn’t always an uplifting experience. On Saturday, I got a call to help with a feral cat who has been attacked by a raccoon. This cat was badly injured, scared, and in pain. A nice lady feeds a few ferals. Twelve years ago, Spay Worcester was able to TNR her small colony. Since then,Continue reading “Rescue isn’t always Happy”

Peach

In the first week of February, I rescued a cat with a broken leg. https://hellstripheaven.com/2023/02/01/cat-with-leg-injury/ I was thrilled to get her off the streets and provide her with medical care. However, I felt terrible about leaving her kitten behind. This single kitten was on her own in the cold. She was wily. It took overContinue reading “Peach”

Marion

There was an injured cat on Marion Ave. The cat lived in a garage. There was a small opening at the bottom of the door where cats could enter and leave the garage. I set two traps near the aperture. I baited them with canned tuna and sardines in oil. Almost immediately, I saw aContinue reading “Marion”

A New Hope

This has been a bad year for Monarchs. They have been officially declared as “endangered“. I have seen the numbers dwindle. So far, I have only had one successful butterfly eclose. I was feeling disheartened about the decline in population. However, today was a day full of joy and hope. I spotted a small caterpillarContinue reading “A New Hope”

Spicebush Sorrow Tale

I check the Spicebush leaves for signs of Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars. These caterpillars are builders! They fold over leaves and bind them with silk. This year, I spotted two Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars. Last year, I brought caterpillars indoors and enjoyed watching their transformation. They start off as a brownish color. Then, they grow much largerContinue reading “Spicebush Sorrow Tale”

Resilience

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”― Confucius Despite the tattered wing, this Swallowtail flies. Seemingly unfazed, she drinks in the nectar of fragrant blooms as she flits from flower to flower. She is a living metaphor for resilience.

First Monarch Eclose

On July 30th, I found this nice large caterpillar on our milkweed. By August 3rd, the caterpillar formed her chrysalis. Amazingly, on August 10th, I was greeted by the flutter of wings! So quick! We took the butterfly outside, but she was not ready to fly. On the following day, she was eager to beContinue reading “First Monarch Eclose”

Primrose Moths

Primrose caterpillars are born from eggs laid on Primrose flowers. They feast upon their golden cradles and travel down the stalks to burrow below to the roots of the flower. Primrose Moths spend most of their lives dormant. They lay waiting throughout the autumn, winter, spring, and early summer. But for one brief time, theyContinue reading “Primrose Moths”

First Monarch Caterpillars of 2022

July 23rd – first Monarch caterpillar of the year! It is always exciting to find one of these elusive beauties, but the first one is something special . I handed this treasure over to my 9 year old next door neighbor. I provided her with a mesh enclosure and lots of direction. She participated inContinue reading “First Monarch Caterpillars of 2022”