iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The single New England Aster bloom the deer left me after they chomped the rest of the plant 😆 🦌 #nativeplants 🌱

A single purple daisy-like flower with a bright yellow center behind a brick wall. In the background, the sad and bedraggled foliage of the same plant lies over the ground.

OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Possibly the most perfect spider photo I’ve ever taken. ❤️ Crab spider on ‘Mercury rising’ tickseed. 🕷️ #bugsky #invertebrates #nativeplants 🌱

A beautiful white crab spider with golden brown markings rests on a vibrant purple-red coreopsis bloom awaiting a meal. It is in a pose that looks like zen meditation.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Really conflicted. I’m at the point in the pattern where I am supposed to transition into the border. But I kind of want another repeat of the vine section, if feels too small. 🧶 #knitting

A hand knitted shawl in progress. The design looks like gold vines and leaves on a background of maroon/wine.

Yarns- silkpaca by malabrigo, and locally dyed mohair/silk from Tempting Ewe yarn

Pattern- Wild Rosehips

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I should have made this time lapse of a monarch caterpillar longer. It always cracks me up watching them eat in high speed 😆 #nativeplants #butterflies #bugsky 🐛

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

The reddest red. This is a volunteer cardinal flower that popped up in my back garden this year in the middle of the penstemon. A deer nibbled the original flower/bud spike, and so the plant grew new buds at the lower leaf junctions. Pretty cool! 🌱 #nativeplants

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Last year I spread seeds from my neighbor’s Columbine all over the place. Just threw them out there a deranged native plant fairy. It’s coming up *everywhere*. Next year is going to be CRAZY #nativeplants 🌱 🌼

Photo of a garden with brick wall in the foreground. At the front, Ruby red coreopsis. Behind it and to the left is a bunch of black eyed Susan’s. Behind it to the right is a new puffy growth of Columbine, yet to flower. In the background: native honeysuckle and some goldenrod

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I hate that this makes me giggle so much.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Except here in maryland, where we’re up to three beaver attacks in the last few weeks 😬 (The first two are confirmed rabies though. Poor little water gophers 😔)

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Garage kittens seem to be feeling a bit better and happier now. The tuxedo is turning out to be really chill. Glad these babies are going to get some great homes soon :) Now to get the two older ones I keep seeing. 😩 #spayandneuter 🐱

A cute calico and white kitten cuddles with her brother, a slightly fluffy black kitten in a litter box, despite plenty of soft clean places in their temporary holding crate.

A tuxedo kitten peeks out from a red and yellow fleece hammock

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

One thing that’s become crystal clear to me this afternoon is that I am not equipped for this at all. 😿

Two kittens and a young cat give me death glares from underneath a drop trap. The larger cat and kitten on the right are solid black. Another kitten is curled up on the left, and it’s also black but with white paws and tuxedo markings.

A calico kitten peers up from a cat carrier after trying to rip my arm off.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

They’re awfully cute. But for the love of god people, fix your cats and don’t let them roam!

Adorable calico kitten with white cheeks and chest lies in some underbrush next to a red building

An adorable floofy black kitten peeks its head out from under a red garage

A little black tuxedo kitten sits on an oak stump

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Nothing like coming home and finding three feral kittens have taken up residence under my garage. Did not have cat tapping on my bingo card for this week

Behind a stand of wildflowers and other greenery, a black kitten with white nose peeks out next to an old oak stump next to a garage.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Man! It’s shawl week for #showmeyourknits and I’m nowhere near done with my very first shawl project. Oh well. A WIP photo will have to do. I really need to have this done when the weather turns because I love it so much :)

A hand knit shawl in progress. Shawl is knotted with contrasting yarns held double, with a design of twining vines and leaves worked with the lighter color alone.

Pattern is “Wild Rosehips”

Gold yarn is malabrigo silkpaca and the wine colored mohair/silk blend is locally dyed by Tempting Ewe yarns :)

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Our wingless carpenter bee passed way today. I like to think that it appreciated shelter from storms, and the nectar/sugar were were able to give it. Kiddo is very sad 😔 #bugsky 🐝

A wingless carpenter bee crawls across a pink hibiscus petal to a purple coneflower blossom.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Everything sucks. So enjoy twenty seconds of mountain mint. 🌱 🦋 #nativeplants #pollinators

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Apparently it’s #NationalMothWeek :) I don’t have fancy photos like some folks here do, but I do have lots of moths. Moths are great :) here’s a whole bunch of lovely moths, though I don’t remember all their names :) #bugsky

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

In addition to the wingless bee it seems I’ve made another new friend. I would die for this spider who guards my watering can. ❤️ 🕷️ #bugsky

A brilliantly gold colored jumping spider with iridescent green along its back and head rests on the grey plastic cap of a watering can. It has a fuzzy face and seems inquisitive. And I can’t get it off the watering can.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

We’ve adopted a wingless bumble bee. Currently my daughter is walking it around the garden and letting it crawl onto various flowers. She has an oak leaf that the bee climbs onto for rides around the garden. 🐝 🌱 #nativeplants #bugsky

A big fuzzy carpenter bumblebee rests atop a purple coneflower. The bee has deformed or broken wings and is unable to fly.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

More denizens of the mountain mint. If you have the room, and love pollinators (and enjoy wasps) this is really a great plant to have around. And very low maintenance once it spreads and takes over 😂 🌱 #nativeplants 🐝 #bugsky

A yellow and black tiger swallowtail butterfly enjoying the flowers of mountain mint

A black sharp tailed bee on mountain mint flower

A black thread-waisted wasp on mountain mint flowers

A golden brown and black digger wasp comes in for a landing on a mountain mint flower

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

The sheer variety of fuzzy buzzies on the mountain mint is always so fascinating to me. This year I’m getting more honeybees than I usually see, as well. #bugsky #nativeplants #pollinators 🐝 🌱

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

For #showmeyourknits its texture week! Two of my favorites: 🧶

A green knitted baby blanket work in progress. Combination of knit and purl stitches with lines of brioche create textured fir trees and stars.

A hand knit glove in fuchsia yarn featuring twisted ribbing and cables to create a heavily textured look.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

The garden needs a weeding after being out of town, but butterflies don’t care. #nativeplants 🌱 #bugsky 🦋

A huge brown and orange Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly sips nectar from a purple coneflower.

A tiny orange-brown skipper butterfly nectaring on purple coneflower

A tiny yellow and black striped monarch butterfly caterpillar navigates the fuzzy underside of a common milkweed leaf

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

I’m really, really going to miss this tree :(

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Better than sweltering and waiting for fireworks :) 🌱 #nativeplants #bugsky

Eastern Tiger swallowtail butterfly nectaring on the pale purple flowers of monarda fistulosa (bee balm)

A tiny little brown butterfly on a purple coneflower

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Great resource for Maryland native garden enthusiasts, listing the specific host plants and preferred nectar sources for the different Maryland species of butterflies: dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Doc...

dnr.maryland.gov

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I love the bugs in my garden. ❤️ Also, Culver’s Root is so great but man I wish it bloomed bigger and longer. Hoping these spread and bloom more (it’s only year 2) #nativeplants #bugsky

Native plant Culver’s Root blooming, with bumblebees all over the flowers

A teeny metallic green fly resting on a penstemon leaf

A red beetle with black spots (a milkweed beetle) crawling along a stick, with weeds underneath (invasive mulberry weed)

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

A few years ago we had to take out a huge dying oak tree next to our garage. It’s made a bit of difference in the amount of light reaching the ground and now we have a number of fantastic native understory trees that have appeared and thrived (pawpaw, serviceberry, redbud). 🌱 🌳 #nativeplahts

The full, broad leaves of a native pawpaw tree

The heart shaped leaves of a young redbud

(On the ground underneath unfortunately are many invasive plants- stiltgrass and winterberry among them. I’ll be pulling here later this summer)

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I know there’s a lot of debate about cultivars of native plants but this one is so very pretty :) (Mercury rising tickseed). In the background: a coral honeysuckle, a later blooming penstemon, and some volunteer fleabane. 🌱 🌺 #nativeplants

A spray of purple-red coreopsis with feathery fine foliage blooms profusely while draping over a brick wall. Behind these flowers are some dainty white flowers belonging to fleabane, and behind that coral honeysuckle climbs a trellis and offers bright red flowers to passing hummingbirds.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

I spent all morning outside doing my least favorite garden task of spring. I’m tired and filthy. But at least I had good company :)

A brown and orange butterfly rests on pale pink milkweed flowers

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Going through this entire thread is the very best thing I’ve done all week.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

I love the perfect, neat work of leaf cutter bees and ants. This year I’ve started setting perfect little circles even on tiny wood sorrel leaves. So cute! 🌺 🪴 🌱

A little wood sorrel leaf grouping (looking much like tiny shamrock) shows perfect little circles taken out of the center of each leaf.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Just because people actually saw this- Be aware the comments that actually get traction on this system are the ones that cite or bring up applicable laws, bring up questions around proper procedure like environmental review, or are personally relevant to the specific area…

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

I’m not sure it matters anymore, but the “triumphal arch” project is currently open for public comment. If anyone is inclined to share their feelings: parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm...

parkplanning.nps.gov

ParkPlanning - Triumphal Arch - Section 106 Assessment of Effect and Draft Programmatic Agreement

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

I only had to frog and redo the cast on for this five times 😆 I’m so happy to be working on something completely unnecessary just for me ❤️ The pattern is starting to look like something too. I will ignore the mistake still there near the beginning, it adds character. 🧶 #knitting #wildrosehips

A hand knit shawl in progress. Made with two lace weight yarns the project is about thirty rows in, and features an overall garter background with marled effect from holding red wine colored mohair with solid golden yarn. Standing out on the surface are slipped stitches in the smooth golden yarn. The pattern is reminiscent of vines with berries

Pattern: wild rosehips
Yarns: malabrigo silkpaca in sunset
and mohair silk in Cabernet, from a local dyer

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Vinca removal project now at about 65% complete. For the first phase of this I planted golden ragwort and mountain mint, which have thrived. This side is getting royal ferns, sedge, fire pinks, and yarrow in the front. 🌺 #nativeplants

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

This project has been such a slog. Omg. Finally off the needles and I’m ready to start something frivolous and selfish. Of course I have to put buttons on this thing. I really hate buttons. It may not be totally done until Christmas. 🧶 #knitting

A mostly completed cardigan is pinned to blocking mats while it dries. It is a deep vibrant green and has lace panels running the length of the arms.

Pattern: Gaja cardigan
Yarn: Fiber Optics Kashmir in Kelly

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

It is almost time for the best aromatherapy nature offers. 🌺 #nativeplants

A stalk of common milkweed, with five clusters of flower buds. The lower two clusters are just starting to open into tiny star shaped pink flowers.

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Reposted by OfDragonflies

Lyse @lyse.myatproto.social · 30/05/2026

There was no safety. There was no pride. All there was, was money. Everything became money, and money became everything. Money treated us as if we were things, and we died. - Terry Pratchett, Going Postal

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

When you find your favorite kind of noodle baby while out and about ❤️ Finding these makes me way too happy. 🐍 #herps

A tiny Dekays brown snake periscopes with its head while curling the rest of its body. It’s about seven inches long and dwarfed even by the tiny plantain and grasses around it.

A tiny brown snake curls up in the dirt, head mostly underneath its body

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

My huge patch of penstemon has begun to bloom ❤️ I planted this two years ago, and last year only one of two plants has survived. I bought another. This year? Suddenly there are hundreds. The chaos garden is chaos-ing ❤️ I moved a number of coneflowers into this bed as well. #nativeplants 🌱

A spike of purplish-white trumpet shaped flowers opens up in the foreground. Behind a trellis with blooming coral honeysuckle.

Closeup of one of the first blooms on a penstemon plant. Bloom is purplish white and trumpet shaped. In the background are dozens of others.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Meet Kevin. Kevin is a slightly smaller fellow compared with Fred the garage snake. Kevin likes to hang out closer to the house. Today Kevin was on the doorstep and unusually curious about me :) 🐍 #herps #snakes 🦎

A black rat snake curls around the legs of a decorative table and checks out my phone. His tongue is flicking out and he’s quite close to the camera. In the background is a decorative antiqued blue urn and some oak leaves that have built up behind it.

A black rat snake coils up his neck while resting atop a box that is leaned up against a brick wall.

A black rat snake explores the space behind a decorative urn that’s become filled with oak leaves.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Today sucked. Here are some cute baby bunnies. Hope they help you as much as they helped me! 🌺 🌱 🐰

A tiny fluffball baby bunny crouches in the mulch and leaf litter under some lily plants.

Two tiny little floofy bunnies cuddle together under the lacy leaves of a native bleeding heart plant.

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OfDragonflies @abitofearth.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Wasn’t really in the proper #MDSW spirit but still managed to snag a few things :) It’s always such a nice weekend but I really have to work through my stash before next year :) 🧶 #knitting #mdsheepandwool

A pile of different yarns on top of grey and white and blue striped bedding. There’s a pile of warm toned coffee-ish colored worsted, along white a light blue worsted, and two skeins of sock yarn. One is a neat dark variegated dominated by blue and purple tones, and the other is a lighter teal.

A sheep with a grey nose and white locks covering its face looks at the camera while lying in a bed of straw

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