Midwest Mary

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By

Mary K. Doyle

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Human Landing Pad

Wildlife comes to me. When I work outside on the patio, squirrels steal my tomatoes and then sit near my feet while dining. Finches chatter near me. Hummingbirds hover in front of my face. And do you remember the goose that landed on my head?

In addition to the usual mosquitoes and other insects, butterflies also land on me and will stay if I talk to them. This black swallowtail remained on my leg while I loaded the trunk of the car. When I tried to shoo it away, it flew to my arm and remained there while I explained to it that I had to leave, and so it must, as well. I finally needed to gently brush it off.

Butterflies are important ecologically and offer an indication of the health of the environment. They transfer pollen between plants, which is essential for reproduction, and provide food sources in both their caterpillar and butterfly stages for birds, reptiles, amphibians, and rodents. They also contribute to pest control by preying on smaller insects.

Most importantly, unlike the tick that embedded into my ankle, butterflies do not bite or carry diseases to humans. This little guy cost me a doctor visit and a round of antibiotics.

©Mary K. Doyle, 2025

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Responses to “Human Landing Pad”

  1. Ilze

    Oh no! The butterfly part was adorable… no, the tick part!

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Yep! Thanks, Ilze.

      Reply
  2. Nancy Homlitas

    The insect friends must be drawn to your scent. The tick is just a blood thirsty little vampire. At least you have interesting company while you garden. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Yes, gardening is done with little friends. Maybe I smell like an animal?

      Reply
  3. nett777

    I have a little white butterfly that stays close to my and my sister-in-law’s house–it actually will fly close to my pup Roxy! Both are very curious about each other.😊 I know what you mean about those ticks–we have a lot here due to the large amount of deer on our properties; I’ve had to rid myself of a few ticks already this year. Stay safe!

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Hello, and thank you for visiting Midwest Mary! How sweet about the butterfly and Roxy. You be safe as well.

      Reply
  4. Penn,…

    This is a wonderful update Mary, … so much in nature is usually enjoyable as you say, the Butterfly is such a gorgeous and relevant part of the ecosystem, …But the tic is a step too far, I do hope you’re able to rid yourself of it safely…💙

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      The little tick had to be pulled out. Blood sucking creature. I’m not sure it serves a purpose, at least not to humans. Thank you for stopping by Penn.

      Reply
      1. Penn,…

        it’s always a pleasure Mary, I love reading your updates., ..💙

        Reply
  5. Ernie ‘Dawg’

    This goes to show how much of a gentle, loving spirit you have Mary. If animals are comfortable with/around you like this butterfly I believe you are a blessed soul. Even ticks want to be engaged with you.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      That is so sweet, Ernie! Thank you. I do love observing all the creatures of this world. I hope wherever you are, you are keeping cool this hot week in the US.

      Reply
      1. Ernie ‘Dawg’

        Hiding in the AC lol

        Reply
  6. gc1963

    You are lucky. Nature connects with you. The tick part is unfortunate though.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, GC. I appreciate your presence here.

      Reply
  7. Kym Gordon Moore

    Mother Nature, you have a seductive attraction to coexist with your natural habitat. Yes! 🥰🦋🐦 But that tick! UGH! 😝 I hope that antibiotics work my friend. Stay safe and stay well! Smooches! 😘

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you very much, lovely Lady Kym. Hope you are keeping cool.

      Reply
      1. Kym Gordon Moore

        You are so very welcome my dear Mary. We are trying to stay cool in this heatwave girlfriend! 🌞 I appreciate you! 😊💖🙏🏼 Hugs and smooches! 💋

        Reply
  8. Mid-Life Mama

    There is so much beauty in nature and how special that it gravitates to you🦋. The squirrel eating your tomato right by your side is a sign of his complete trust that you don’t mind😊. We all need to be vigilant about checking for those wicked ticks!

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Yes, the ticks can cause serious problems if left untreated. I know that from experience but still want to be outdoors. Thank you for taking your time to comment, MLM.

      Reply
  9. gustavo_horta

    Como você já sabe, eu vivo na roça. Vivo há 13 anos no que eu gosto de chamar de Shangri-la.
    Sou um privilegiado
    Mas sinto a humanidade oprimida o tempo todo por tiranos oportunistas, que, tal qual esse carrapato, lhes suga muito mais sangue que o necessário a sua sobrevivência.
    Não paro de me perguntar a razão que leva os humanos a escolherem com tanta frequência seus algozes para comandá-los?
    A vida poderia ser tão simples e tão melhor, não é mesmo?
    Abraço grande e fraterno.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Você tem razão, claro, meu amigo. Por que precisa haver o yin e o yang da vida? Por que não podemos simplesmente ter as coisas boas? Com ​​amor, Gustavo.

      Reply
      1. gustavo_horta

        Com amor, minha amiga Mary

        Reply
  10. The Introverted Bookworm

    How beautiful! Your blog is such a relaxing and uplifting place to be, Mary! 🦋

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, Ada. That is my goal. Love to you.

      Reply
  11. Looking for the Light

    The tick gives me the shivers!

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      And with good reason, Melinda. You may remember that I was diagnosed and treated for Lyme last year. I don’t intend to repeat that but do want to be outside.

      Reply
      1. Looking for the Light

        Take a few protection measures and you’ll lower your chances of getting a tick on you. I was so happy to hear you didn’t have to go through a long-term treatment plan. Have a great weekend.

        Reply
        1. Mary K. Doyle

          Thank you, Melinda. I’m on Minocycline and herbs and will be tested in 6-8 weeks.

          Reply
          1. Looking for the Light

            I hope it dosen’t linger beyond that.

  12. Monkey’s Tale

    Oh no! Much better to be a butterfly whisperer than a tick magnet!

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Hahahahaha! Love that, Maggie.

      Reply
  13. Rosaliene Bacchus

    I like to believe that the butterfly that stayed with you was a messenger from a loved one on the Other Side.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      I wondered about that, Rosaliene. The butterfly hovered around the car when we left. I recently lost a sweet friend. Thank you for your insight, my friend.

      Reply
      1. Rosaliene Bacchus

        I’m sorry to hear of your loss, Mary ❤ At key points in my life, I've had unusual encounters with butterflies and moths.

        Reply
        1. Mary K. Doyle

          Hugs to you, my loving friend.

          Reply
          1. Rosaliene Bacchus

            ❤

  14. Michael Sammut

    The butterfly is welcome, the tick absolutely no.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Right? I’m sure you encounter much like this while taking your awesome photos.

      Reply
      1. Michael Sammut

        Yes. There are some very special encounters and others which are not so pleasant at all 😀

        Reply
  15. Dorothy’s New Vintage Kitchen

    You are definitely a magnet for the creatures great and small.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Yep, which is mostly good, but it isn’t always. Thank you, dear Dorothy. Hugs to you.

      Reply
  16. kagould17

    Isn’t it funny when wildlife is attracted to you. I have had black capped chickadees try to sit on my camera and the upturned ends of my hiking pole. The other day, I had a butterfly land on me for quite a long time. It is an honour when this happens. The ticks and mossies, not so much though. Have a good day. Allan

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      I knew you were one with nature, my friend. You also love being outside

      Reply
  17. LoveLifeHappiness&More💙💙

    Lovely butterfly. 🦋
    Tick oh no. Hope you are doing ok.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      I’m fine, and still want to be one with the wee creatures of the world. Thank you for asking, T’.

      Reply
  18. Darryl B

    That’s so cool, Mary!

    Make sure you take your AB for the full course… Lyme can be stubborn 🤨

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      I know, Darryl. I was diagnosed and treated for Lyme last year and don’t want to repeat that. Thank you for the reminder.

      Reply
  19. Escribir Y Sanar

    You’re like a walking garden spirit, Mary—no wonder the creatures come to you. Your energy must feel like home to them. I can picture that butterfly just refusing to leave, mesmerized by your voice and your light. 💛
    This post is such a dance between magic and science—thank you for teaching and enchanting. (Even the tick had to try its luck with you… not the kind of admirer we want though!)
    Keep being that gentle magnet for beauty. You remind us that when we move with love, the wild responds.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Oh, I think your last paragraph is the beginning of a poem, Madelaine. I love it! Thank you.

      Reply
  20. joannerambling

    Butterflies are so lovely and often quite pretty unlike ticks which are neither

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      You are right, Joann. Thank you for taking the time to reach out. I appreciate you.

      Reply
  21. Stephanie

    Makes me hear the Carpenters in my head “Just like me… they long to be… close to you…” 🙂

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      So cute, Stephanie. I hope you and your family are doing well with the move.

      Reply
      1. Stephanie

        We are! One thing I didn’t expect was to be as social as I’ve been here. Many or most of my friendships in Miami were work connected, but here friends have been reaching out constantly to get together. Summer is just incredibly beautiful.

        Reply
        1. Mary K. Doyle

          I’m happy for you. Every day is a blessing.

          Reply
  22. Violet Lentz

    I’m not quite as patient as you are about bugs landing on me, but the animals trusting you sounds like a good omen.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      And I love it, Violet. Thank you, my friend.

      Reply
  23. Joseph Glidden

    I have been getting butterflies and ladybugs landing on me when I am in the yard the past few days. My theory is they are trying to tell me I need to shower more often 🙂

    Glad to hear that you spotted the tick and took care of it quickly.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      LOL. You could be right, Joseph. Some days, one shower is not enough.

      Reply
      1. Joseph Glidden

        Truth, especially in the hot weather, lol

        Reply
  24. Victoria

    Best blog title I’ve seen in a long time! 🥰

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, Vicki. I appreciate that.

      Reply
      1. Victoria

        🥰❤️🥰

        Reply
  25. Beth Foster

    A tick bit me the other day as well Mary lol.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Oh, no, Beth. Were you able to get it all out? Are you taking anything for it?

      Reply
      1. Anonymous

        Yes Mary, I was able to pull the tick off with tweezers! I’m taking care of it will aloe Vera and antibiotics. Thanks for asking 😊

        Reply
        1. Mary K. Doyle

          Good to hear! Be safe.

          Reply
  26. lifewithlane14

    Insect and Animal whisperer! Keep the ticks though lol! I absolutely love butterflies 🤩

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Butterflies are the sweetest little creatures.

      Reply
  27. Edward Ortiz

    Nooo… bad tick! Hopefully, everything will be okay after the antibiotics.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      I’m hoping I’m building an immunity to Lyme since having been diagnosed and treated last year.

      Reply
      1. Edward Ortiz

        I’ll be praying for you, my friend.

        Reply
        1. Mary K. Doyle

          Thank you, Edward!

          Reply
          1. Edward Ortiz

            You’re so welcome.

  28. Michele Lee

    Not surprised at all that butterflies, hummingbirds, and other animals find peace with you, angel Mary. 🦋 The tick, on the other hand, overstepped!

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Hahaha. You’re right, my dear, sweet Michele. No ticks wanted.

      Reply
      1. Michele Lee

        🙅🏻‍♀️

        Reply
  29. Lauren Scott, Author

    The fact that butterflies and other living creatures love you is amazing, Mary, but not the tick. That first photo is awesome. ❤️

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, Lauren. Keep cool.

      Reply
  30. Swamigalkodi Astrology

    Nice read

    Reply
  31. Cindy Georgakas

    Love the butterflies Mary ….. now the tick … at least it’s not a lime tick! 🥹

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      No, I think it’s a dog tick which can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

      Reply
  32. luisa zambrotta

    Wonderful photos: nature connects with you. 🦋🌺🦋

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, Luisa. I do love everything about nature.

      Reply
      1. luisa zambrotta

        I know…
        Wishing you a lovely weekend, dear Mary 💓

        Reply
  33. hubertprevy

    A butterfly may drift with no clear aim,

    Yet beauty follows every gentle flight.

    Its purpose hides beyond our grasp or name,

    But still we see it dancing in the light.

    Does beauty speak where reason falls apart?

    A whisper from the mind of One above?

    Not all we know can ever touch the heart—

    Yet beauty speaks, in wings, in flight, in love.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Beautifully written, Hubert. Thank you.

      Reply
  34. johnlmalone

    it’s lovely that animals love you — though perhaps not the tick —

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      There has to be something good about ticks, maybe when eaten by other creatures. Thank you for commenting, John.

      Reply
  35. Swamigalkodi Astrology

    Elegantly expressed

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you!

      Reply
  36. vermavkv

    Nice post with nature’s beauty.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, Vijay.

      Reply
  37. P. J. Gudka

    It’s always a good sign when things are drawn to you. Such a sweet moment with the butterfly. Not so much with the tick.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Right? I woke up with that tick in me, and I showered before bed! They are little stinkers. The ticks were abundant where we camped.

      Reply
      1. P. J. Gudka

        Oh no, that’s awful ticks are really sneaky and carry so many weird diseases. Glad you saw this one though and were able to take the antibiotics.

        Reply
  38. Awakening Wonders

    We all know you have a comforting energy – enjoy the sweet moments!

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, Mary. I hope you are doing well.

      Reply
  39. Kimberly Vargas Agnese

    Oh! Yes ! I love it when butterflies venture close and perch. When hummingbirds tread air in front of my face because they are fascinated with my red glasses. For some reason bees often land on Stephanie, as well as June bugs and grasshoppers. We love them all 🙂 Was such fun to see that we both posted in some way about them today. …:)
    Hugs:)

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Hugs to you, my friend.

      Reply
  40. HR

    Hi Mary, Well written. We are attracting both ends of the nature’s spectrum. The wanted and the unwanted so to speak. As for the tick, I am ‘prone’ to their attraction as well. And have recently had a similar experience, when I found one in the morning, under my knee (after showering the night before)….they itch their existence into my awareness. 🙂 What I do, is the following. I put a little piece of butter on the place with the tick inserted (to suffocate it). Then leave it on a couple of minutes. After that slowly gently move the tick around until it let’s go of me. Works every time….and there were many.
    Wishing you a tick free life 🙂

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Hello HR! Thank you for adding to the story with your personal experience and solution. I appreciate your presence and hope to see you again.

      Reply
  41. noga noga

    Wonderful post, my best wishes and prayers to you, my dear Mary. 💞🙏🏻🙋🏼‍♀️

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Good to see you, Nougat. God bless you.

      Reply
  42. denise421win

    They enjoy your company…… how wonderful

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      And I enjoy–most of them, as well. Thank you for visiting, Denise.

      Reply
  43. Swamigalkodi Astrology

    Richly detailed

    Reply

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