This summer, I've been making a practice to carry around my Nikon DSLR. I've had it for 10 years and for a long time thought it was "too nice" to actually carry around with me and use day to day. For the past 3 years since moving to the homestead, each year I've said more and more:
And you know what, this year I have actually followed through on that. Probably early on, my lack of follow through had something to with Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the fact that I didn't have a place to charge the battery or my computer, but I digress.
The important thing is each day basically I'm getting out there with it and snapping some beautiful photos (sometimes!). Sharing what happens at the homestead feels purposeful to me. I can feel that when I get responses that people are nourished, delighted, inspired, and more in relation to what we share. Thank you for your feedback, it keeps me encouraged to share!
What has been an absolute delight to try to capture this year are the butterflies. And flowers, but for obvious reasons butterflies pose more of a challenge as they're such light flitting creatures who stop a moment and are off again. I have witnessed much more beauty that I could ever capture through a lens, but a few times I have been so blown away with delight, I've literally run to retrieve my camera in hopes of getting a few good photos.
What follows are butterflies mostly on 2 milkweed species. One batch I even planted which feels so special to be providing more habitat and nectary for these lovely creatures! The butterfly weed (or pleurisy root- orange one), has come up naturally each year, much to my delight! Without further ado:
Spangled Fritillary Butterfly on
Asclepias syriaca or Common Milkweed
I started this native perennial from seed last spring which makes this extra special. As humans, we can direct our energy in ways to make space for other creatures to thrive. In times when there is so much habitat devastation and extinction at alarming rate, using our human life for this purpose is a good endeavor. Plus, what a sweet relationship!
This little guy (I didn't look up what s/he is), I spotted on a wild patch of Common Milkweed on our land. We make a point to leave the milkweed patches when we brush scythe and also encourage the spreading of seed.
Asclepias tuberosa, Butterfly Weed, Pleurisy Root
This dazzlingly beautiful flower has a long history as a medicine, as well as being an incredible nectar source for butterflies. I didn't capture any photos of butterflies doing their thang on it, but trust me on this one, they love it!
As do I -- that color!!!! It really pops in the landscape.
Pipevine Swallowtale on
Monarda fistulosa aka BeeBalm or Wild Bergamot
Wow. This is one I literally ran to get the camera for. I sat dumbfounded watching it for a few seconds and realized this was an amazing opportunity. I must mention: blue is my favorite color and I'm in love with Bee Balm, too, which definitely has something to do with my heart bursting open!
All photos taken by me on our homestead in the Ozarks of Southern Missouri, USA.
with love and thinking of our pollinators,
Wowsers. Arent they beautiful. I need to get my SLR out too that I bought off Dad. I also have a pinhole camera i want to play with. Not sure that wpuld capture butterflies though!!
Sorry for the delay, @riverflows, but here's your second comment upvote as a reward for the gardening journal challenge.
Ah thanks xxx are you okay.. ? Havent seen you for a while...
It has been rough these last two weeks, but I’m doing a little better again, thanks :0)
oooh pinhole cool! yeah get it out girl!!! hope you're loving BALI! xoxoox
oh geez! carry it around MORE PLEASE! those images are breathtaking/giving!
:) :) your enthusiasm is always so heartening! thanks, dear!!! <3
Wow I've been liking the Vblogs but these photos are amazing. Great job! and usual the info you provide to go with photos is the icing on the cake.
thank you very much! happy to share what i already have in my brain... plus the photos make me drool to0 :)
Those are awesome.. Milkweed looks way different there than what they call Milkweed here.. The one here is spiky spiney and yellow .... Anyway great pictures. Love that purple flower
cool! i'd love to see a pic of your native milkweed- i don't think it caught my eye when i lived there. milkweeds are such amazing plants. thanks!
These photos were just dazzling! I also love that blue butterfly. Your camera takes such crisp photos! Looking forward to more of them...
thanks dear! oh the blue butterfly really captivated me, too!!! yeah it's a great camera. happy to be using it more this year :)
Beautiful picture of amazing butterflies.
thank you
ohh my goodness!!! I can't believe you got those amazing shots! I don't know which is more beautiful, the flowers or the butterflies. Great photos!
:DD i knew you would love them as you were able to witness this beauty up close and personal! <3 thanks mama.
Stunning photography. My son and I both have said that we want to take photography more seriously as we live in rural Ireland. I live quite remotely by choice with abundant wildlife around, so many things to photograph.
Maybe like you, it's time to stop putting it off and just go for it. 😀
thank you so much @katdvine. yes, it makes so much sense just to go for it. i was trying to preserve my camera, but in fact i wasn't using it for its purpose nor was i able to share the beauty around me. i'd love to see your shots of rural ireland!!!
Your photos are absolutely gorgeous. The butterflies are so beautiful and they seem to love those flowers. We all have butterflies but it seems in every place they are so different. Thank you so much for sharing your photo art.
thank you dear @carey-page, it's a blessing to witness natural beauty like this. it propels our connection with the wild. would love to see some butterflies from your neck of the woods. agreed there is so much beauty all over <3
Yes it is a blessing. We are so fortunate to live on such a beautiful being. I will try to capture a pic or two.
❤️❤️❤️ i would love that. please tag me if you do :)
I loved every single pixel of this! Great photo & writing skills. My favourite was the bee balm and the black butterfly with blue dots too 💚
The Milkweed has extraordinary color!! Wow! So kind of you to take the time to share pieces of your environment with us! 🦋
:D aw you're so sweet @yogajill! thank you!! <3 yes i think that was my fav too-- literally jumped up and run to get my camera :) <3 love to share the beautiful blessings! xx
I just love this so much! You've captured the exquisite beauty of these plants and creatures so perfectly! ♥
<3 thanks dear!!! it's a treat to get at least a few out of the dozens i take ;) XOXO