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
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
This is the time of year that Tennessee’s state wildflower, the Passion Flower, can be found growing wild by the roadside or in fields and woods. The vines run along the ground or climb up trees and fences, and produce beautiful lavender flowers and greenish-yellow fruit.
The things you are passionate about are not random. They are your calling. ~Fabienne Fredrickson
“Flowers … are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” ~Luther Burbank
Presently, our country road is lined in places with rows of Queen Anne’s Lace. The beautiful white wildflowers give the roadside a magical appearance.
… Her lawn looks like a meadow,
And if she mows the place
She leaves the clover standing
And the Queen Anne’s Lace!
~Edna St. Vincent Millay
The sky was a little overcast, but the temperature was perfect for a hike in the Reelfoot Wildlife Refuge. Along the way, signs of spring were intermingled with the leaves of the past autumn. The sound of birds chirping and an owl hooting could be heard in the distance. As we passed a stranger on the path, his greeting summed up my feelings perfectly — “It doesn’t get much better than this!” No, it certainly doesn’t. 🙂
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” ~Unknown
“Little things do make a difference. Can you imagine a world without butterflies?” ~Katrina Mayer
