“Cease to inquire what the future has in store, and take as a gift whatever the day brings forth.” ~Horace
Garden gifts
butterfly
Insects on orange butterfly weed
The bright flowers of the orange butterfly weed attracts a variety of insects during their blooming season. Here are a few that stopped in to enjoy the pollen and nectar.
“Stop every now and then. Just stop and enjoy. Take a deep breath. Relax and take in the abundance of life.” ~Unknown
Tattered Gulf fritillary
Life has taken a toll on this butterfly as revealed by its tattered and torn up wings. But regardless of the predators and various environmental challenges it has faced, it is still a beautiful butterfly that has survived to fly another day.
“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph”. ~Thomas Paine
Swallowtail and pansies
“Colors are the smiles of nature.” ~Leigh Hunt
Red Admiral
“Happiness flutters in the air whilst we rest among the breaths of nature.” ~Kelly Scheaffer
Stopping to look around
“Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing.” ~Dr. Seuss
Attracted to the Mistflowers
As you drive along the country roads of West Tennessee in the late summer and autumn, you are likely to see a burst of pale bluish-purple wildflowers growing along the way. The Mistflower grows in clusters, and its fluffy-looking flowers are magnets for butterflies, moths and other insects which are attracted to its nectar.
“There are many things in life that will catch you eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue these.” ~Michael Nolan
Busy pollinators
Presently, the fragrant flowers of the White Snakeroot plant can be seen along the edges of the road, especially flourishing in the filtered sunlight of the tall oak trees. Being one of the last wildflowers to bloom in the autumn, it provides a valuable source of nectar for a variety of busy insects.
“It’s not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted.” ~Mary Flannery O’Connor
Enjoying the Sedum Plants
This is the time of year when the sedum plants are in bloom. I particularly enjoy the late afternoon, when the sun brings out the colors in the star-shaped flowers and a variety of small insects stop by for a visit.
“Nature is to be found in her entirety nowhere more than in her smallest creatures.” ~Pliny the Elder (Roman Scholar)
Zebra Swallowtail
Unhampered by the missing sword-like tail on one of its hind wings, this Zebra Swallowtail gently floated along the roadside, making its way from flower to flower. It was a truly amazing and beautiful sight to watch.
“O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.” ~ Psalm 104:24, NLT
