Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 25 January 2015

Sunday Selections #208

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. 

The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.

Like River I usually run with a theme. This week it is the Orchard Swallowtail butterfly (I think) which captured my interest.  Jewel who considers herself a mighty hunter wanted it too.  Fortunately she was thwarted.  Again.








Ephemeral magic.

127 comments:

  1. Butterflies are such beautiful creatures. When I lived and worked on Hinchinbrook Island we used to often get the glorious Ulysses butterflies and the Cairns Birdwing butterflies. They, too, are sights to be seen and enjoyed.

    I hope you and the Skinny One have a most enjoyable Australia Day, EC and that Jewel & Jazz behave themselves during the barbie! :)

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    1. Lee: They are beautiful. Some day I will go to a butterfly farm - something which has been on my wish list forever and a day.
      The smaller portion is a sick puppy so a barbie doesn't look at all likely. Happy Australia Day to you and the furry overlords.

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    2. I'm sorry to hear that the Skinny One is not well, EC. I hope he picks up soon.

      I won't be having a barbecue, either. Something very simple for me in between tennis matches! TV tennis matches, that is! :)

      My best wishes to the smaller portion.

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  2. Oh yes, lovely Butterfly. Well photographed EC.

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    1. Bob Bushell: He/she was beautiful - and made my heart sing.

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    2. Yes, it would make my heart sing as well.

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  3. Lovely things butterflies and you did well to get photos they are to fast for me I have a beautiful blue one who visits often but he is always in a hurry.
    Merle..........

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    1. Merlesworld: This one was having a rest - or it would have been way too fast for me too. Blue butterfly? I would love to see that.

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  4. Love how you have the light shining through the wings. These butterflies are new to me but I guess your fauna is different. Beautiful.

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: I was lucky in the spot the butterfly chose to land. Very lucky. And lucky that Jewel alerted me to its presence.

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  5. I like how its wings are a bit translucent. Gives you an idea of how thin and fragile they are.

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    1. Michael D'Agostino: Fragile perfection. I do love the 'little things' in life.

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  6. Wow. Such an ethereal creature. Beautifully captured on film, EC.
    A true indication of a garden full of delights for butterflies such as this lovely one.
    Sorry to read that your SP is unwell. I hope/wish it is only temporary and that he is feeling much better soon.
    xx

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    1. Vicki: He is very far from well, and refusing to do anything about it. Right down to refusing to keep his fluid levels up. Frustrating and worrying.
      The garden is full of a variety of bugs, and bees, and birds. And weeds. Rather a lot of weeds.
      Do I detect from your comment at River's blog that you are moving? Soon?

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    2. Oh no, I am sorry. I so hope he will do what he can. I understand it must be so frustrating for him, to be having these dreadful bouts of illness, just when he's feeling on top of things.
      I'm sorry for both of you, and I wish there was a simpler medical solution to your poor SP's condition. I truly do.

      We "hope" to put the house on the market late this year. That's the plan if all goes well with reno's, the housing market situation, etc.

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    3. Vicki: Good luck. Do you know where you want to go?

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    4. That's the thing, we don't. We're gypsies at heart. I hope something suitable presents itself in due course as we plan. If not, we'll rent and wait...

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  7. Fantastic photos, EC - and such a beautiful creature! We have so few butterflies in this country, and I am very envious of other places which have lots. My swan plants are covered in humungous Monarch caterpillars at the moment, and there are already a few chrysalises.

    Hope the SP is much better soon, and that you (and the cats) are well.

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    1. Alexia: Butterflies are a marvel aren't they? I always welcome them. If his high and skinniness is not MUCH better tomorrow my nagging will escalate. Dramatically.

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  8. The butterfly looks silver!!!! Silver wings! So pretty and butterflies are such a symbol for many magical things.Happy Sunday.

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    1. Bookie: When the sun wasn't shining directly through those wings it looked blacker - but beautiful. And yes, butterflies are such a wonderful symbol for hope. A happy weekend to you too.

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  9. Beautiful photos, as always. I hope the smaller portion feels better soon!!

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  10. He's beautiful! I haven't seen a single butterfly since last summer :(

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    1. River: I hadn't seen as many this year either. The rainy days we have had are wonderful for the garden - but not good for the flutterbies.

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  11. He's lovely EC, not a tear to be seen, he must be quite new and young. Just don't see butterflies as often as when I was a child. They are the loveliest of nature's creatures and so fragile.

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    1. Rose ~ from Oz: You have reminded me that I haven't seen as many ladybirds this year. I hope they are out there - but I haven't been looking. The inner child needs to get into the garden more - ignoring the weeding requirements.

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  12. Sorry the Skinny One is feeling poorly, and that the likelihood of a barbecue is slim to none. May I still wish you a happy Australia Day, and offer my wishes for a speedy recovery?

    The Orchard Swallowtail is gorgeous, and you've certainly proved yourself the mightier (camera) huntress!

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    1. Jacquelineand...: Thank you. I too hope he recovers soon. Before I kill him. Which is about my only hunting instinct (or the only one with death in mind).

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  13. Happy Australia day! I hope SP gets to feeling better quickly.
    Poor Jewel...thwarted from the prize (but yay for the beautiful butterfly). I've only seen gems like that one in penned habitats.

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    1. River Fairchild: Jewel was not happy with me. At all. As I said to Lee, going to a butterfly farm in high on my wish list. Some day...

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  14. Beautiful, beautiful butterfly. We have a butterfly garden at the Cleveland Zoo; the only thing I might visit a zoo to see.
    All the best to dear SP.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: A butterfly garden? I would definitely be there.

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  15. Oh Honey! That is spectacular! Glad your Jewel was thwarted this once.


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    <3

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    1. Cloudia: Jewel tells me she is often thwarted. She lies...

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  16. Beutiful butterfly! I hope the SP starts feeling better soon.

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    1. Teresa: Thank you. And if he wasn't being such a toad he would be thankful for all the good wishes too.

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  17. What a beauty! Such a pity we don't get them here. This year the monarchs have been absent. Ten years ago we had them in droves . . .
    I wonder who has been spraying what.

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    1. Arija: We don't get a lot of them, but most years I spot one or two. I suspect the sprays are legion. Home and commercial. Sad and bad.

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  18. I don't recall ever seeing one. It is very attractive. Pleased to hear Jewel missed her snack, not that the butterfly would live long, I guess.

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    1. Andrew: I was glad to deprive her too. I don't know how long this butterfly lives - not long, but considerably longer without input from greedy cats.

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  19. There is something about a butterfly that causes you to pause and soak in the beauty. There is also something sorrowful when you see a beautiful butterfly caught in your car windshield wiper.

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    1. Grannie Annie: Yes on both counts. And seeing a butterfly caught in an overfed cat's mouth is a tragedy. Avoided this time.

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  20. So beautiful! I know that cats love to play with anything that moves, but fortunately cats don't have wings! :-)

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    1. DJan: I think it is the erratic flight which gets her into hunting mode. And, while she can't fly, her leaps are spectacular.

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  21. Definitely a swallowtail butterfly. And I'm glad that Jewel was thwarted in her desire for it. :-)

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    1. Jesusan: Thank you. I am astonishly ignorant about butterflies. And rather a lot of other things.

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  22. OMG, EC, you outdid yourself with those photos. The third and 2nd from last are my favorites. The light through their wings, the photos are stunning. You did good!

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    1. Strayer: And, like all photos (the ones I take anyway) the reality was even more beautiful.

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  23. What a beautiful creature! How large would you estimate it to be? I'm not familiar with the leaves surrounding it, so can't get a definite sense of size, although it looks pretty large. We had a gorgeous large moth settle on our patio door one evening. It stayed for a few hours and then disappeared. I'd never seen anything like it before or since. I took pictures - will have to look and see if I can locate one and email you. Thanks for sharing this one!

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    1. jenny_o: A couple of inches across. A miniature marvel - and I would love to see photos of your moth.

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  24. How gorgeous! I am glad it didn't end up as kitty lunch too.

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    1. Riot Kitty: Poor deprived Jewel has been comprehensively outvoted.

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  25. Hello Sue! Now...don't fall off your chair because you're in such shock that I am indeed visiting and commenting on your blog!! :-) I always love your photos of all the beautiful scenery and creatures in your gorgeous country. Sending hugs from across the world...!

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    1. BECKY: It is always a pleasure to see you. And the hugs are returned.

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  26. Amazing colours. What an extraordinary creature! :-) Thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: Fragile perfection - which I am so glad I saw. And glad that Jewel didn't get her wish.

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  27. How very beautiful, magical indeed.

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    1. DeniseinVA: It was early when I saw it - and a wonderful start to the day.

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  28. Butterflies are such beautiful creatures and so amazing to watch. These are great photos. Happy Australia Day!

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    1. Mason Canyon: Thank you. A very low key Australia Day here. And yes, butterflies ARE amazing.

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  29. Replies
    1. Susan Kane: What a wonderful description of them. Thank you.

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  30. What a beautiful butterfly - it looks almost translucent.

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  31. So transient, so beautiful!

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    1. ladyfi: Butterflies, like rainbows, speak to us all.

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  32. Wow, those photos are gorgeous! You are a very talented photographer.

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    1. Jane @ Almost Jane: The butterfly was gorgeous - and I have a good point and shoot camera.

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  33. What a gorgeous creature. So delicate. So feminine! How large is she?

    xxxxx

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    1. My Inner Chick: A couple of inches across. Not huge, but glorious.

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  34. This is truly one of the most beautiful butterflies that I've ever seen in my life!!

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    1. Optimistic Existentialist: It is glorious isn't it - but there are so many spectacular butterflies.

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    2. What beautiful creatures those butterflies are!
      Sending you love from Florida.

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  35. How big is that?! It looks huge. I have a fear of moths of all sizes and it used to spill over into butterflies, however I made myself walk through a Butterfly house in order to get a grip and it worked, so long as they aren't hand sized that is. Which is not to say they aren't beautiful regardless of size. Gorgeous piccies as ever *smiles*.

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    1. All Consuming: Not hand sized - unless you have tiny hands. Two inches across perhaps? I would love to go to a butterfly house. It is snakes I have difficulties with - though I can see their beauty and elegance. Smiles back to you. Always.

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  36. I've never seen a butterfly like this one. It's gorgeous!

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    1. Carol Kilgore: We see this one (if we are lucky) most years - and I always welcome it. Red letter day.

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  37. Pretty butterfly, but still the cockatoo is my love, hahahaha.

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    1. Al Diaz: I am more fickle than you - because I love them both.

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  38. Oh what a beautiful butterfly! I love all the shots- but the 4th one is just stunning and shows so many details. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS (Jess): I stood looking at it for quite a while - and there were more details (and more beauty) the longer I looked.

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  39. Just beautiful, EC! We have them in our orchard too, though not so many as last year, and we don't spray... Maybe I'll see more before summer ends; which, with the rain bucketing down, feels like it could end any minute now. So sorry to hear tha SP is unwell. Hope you get the better of his stubbornness and he does what needs to be done...

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    1. Carol: We don't spray here either - though at least one of my neighbours is a bit of a poison king. I would rather have butterflies. And rather a lot of other things.
      His high and skinniness was a little bit better yesterday - and much worse today. And still being a toad.

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  40. Replies
    1. Christine Rains: Both of those things. In spades.

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  41. Magic is a perfect way of putting it. I believe that is a swallowtail - just lovely.

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    1. Lynn: Do you get this particular swallowtail as well?

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  42. I found myself transfixed on the wigs - the dark colors of the wings look like shadows. You capture such minute details with your pictures. Excellent.

    Also, I've thought of you and your work, with respect to my recent trip to Atlanta. Hugs.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: Thank you. And I love the work you do.

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  43. Replies
    1. Rawknrobyn: I didn't notice until your correction. And then had to go back to read it again.

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  44. Oh your photos are amazing. Such a beautiful creature. Hug B

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  45. Splendid photos! I think butterflies are tricky to take in picture because they move so quickly. Your photos are very clear and fine.

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    1. Vagabonde: You are right. Not only do they move quickly, they also move erratically. This one was taking a rest - which was why I was able to take its photograph.

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  46. I've never really taken a good photo of a butterfly. These that you've shared here, they are amazing!

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    1. 2justByou: Butterfies have been my nemesis for a while too. As is the moon. Some day I will take a reasonable photo of a full moon. Some day...

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  47. Those photos of that butterfly are absolutely outstanding!

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    1. Lon Anderson: It was an absolutely outstanding butterfly. A joy.

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  48. I LOVE butterflies, and those are beautiful!

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    1. Stephanie Faris: Thank you. I love them too. Rather a lot.

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  49. OH my gosh, those are amazing pictures!! And that's an amazing butterfly!

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    1. mail4rosey: It was such a treat to see - brightened my whole day.

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  50. A swallowtail I have never seen and I love how big, bold and beautiful yours is....

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  51. I am running late but earlier this week I didn't seem able to leave comments.
    That butterfly is so gorgeous and I'd love a visit from one in my garden. We seem devoid of butterflies lately so perhaps are not growing the plants they enjoy. We do, however, get lots of those wretched white cabbage moths!!
    Thank you for sharing such beauty with us.

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    1. Mimsie: I haven't seen cabbage moths this year. I wonder why not. This beauty was a treat though.

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  52. Oh wow, what a glorious thing.

    I once saw a butterfly garden in Florida, aaah, nature offers the best, the absolute best.

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    1. Guyana-Gyal: Isn't it? And, as I have said in response to earlier comments, a butterfly garden/farm is definitely on my wish list.

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  53. What great close up shots. You did well! Every time I try to take a photo of a butterfly they close their wings or fly off! :D

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    1. LL Cool Joe: They usually do that to me too. And their flight path is so erratic that they are difficult to track.

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  54. Stunning, stunning pictures! I usually take amazing shots of my thumb. I can't win. LOL

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    1. Sonya Ann: Hooray for digital photography. I too take rather a lot of photographs which could charitably be described as crap.

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  55. Better late than never… Those are absolutely stunning pics! And I'm so glad to know that beautiful thing did not become a feline snack in your garden.

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    1. Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): She was still chittering with frustrated lust more than half an hour later. Tough.

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