winged beauties

It's the time of year here in Madison that monarch butterflies can be seen fluttering to and fro. These winged beauties always catch my eye and cause me to stop and take in their seemingly effortless dance. Aren't they so graceful?

~photos by Inside the Pomegranate~

poem in your pocket day

Did you know that today is national Poem In Your Pocket day? It's a way for us to share our favorite poetry with each other. Here's one I quite like:

To A Butterfly
by William Wordsworth

I've watched you now a full half-hour,
Self-poised upon that yellow flower;
And, little butterfly! indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless! And then
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Has found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!

This plot of orchard-ground is ours;
My trees they are, my sister's flowers;
Here rest your wings when they are weary,
Here lodge as in a sanctuary!
Come often to us, fear no wrong;
Sit near us on the bough!
We'll talk of sunshine and of song,
And summer days, when we are young;
Sweet childish days, that were as long
As twenty days are now.

If you'd like to learn more about Poem In Your Pocket Day, check out: www.poets.org/pocket.

inspired: a color triad

I think color combinations are endlessly fascinating. Three colors opposite of each other on the color wheel are color triads. They really make a great, bold combination, and I think - like in so many ways - gardens are great place to find inspirations with colors.

a color wheel
showing a triad of colors

Here's a few photos I snapped that really showcase the beautiful combination that green, orange, and purple make.  

green and orange -
a nice combo

green and purple - also very nice

now the triad: green, orange & purple -
it's so much more robust!

another example of this color triad

just a few of my favorite things

what is it that you love?

From a great cup of tea, to the scent of lavender, to travel, to enjoying a great piece of art in person. These are the things I can count on to make me feel quite happy. How about you? What's on your list of favorite things?

golden hues:
sparkly light, dried lavender, a palm tree, tea

art!
here's an extreme close-up of one of Monet's
massive waterlily paintings -
the color combination is sublime

photography: butterflies,
setting my camera up for a shot sans tripod,
flowers, and Nino

travel and getting great candid shots of locals

What are the things that makes you feel perfectly happy?

the start of fall colors

Even though it is technically still summer, the colors of fall - golds, yellows, coppers - are beginning to be seen throughout the area. With a cloudless sky as a picture perfect backdrop, I headed over to the UW Arborteum to capture some of the beauty that is this time of the year.

prairie grasses

deep blues, greens and reds
sumac against the September sky

a bee hard at work

there's just something about oak trees that I love

beautiful, isn't it?

wildflowers

green and gold

milkweed - a favorite of monarch butterflies

summertime scene

A butterfly resting on a wildflower, set against the afternoon sky...what could be make for a more beautiful summer day?

papillons et des fleurs

I think there is something almost magical about butterflies landing on flowers. These featherweight beauties amaze me with their ability not only to not be blown away by a gust of wind, but to gracefully fly to and fro seemingly lighter than air. When I can find a butterfly resting on a bloom, it delights me and when I have my camera with me and I can capture the scene it's even better. Butterflies aren't always the easiest subject to capture - they don't sit still for long! - but I was lucky recently and was able to photograph a few real beauties. 

what beautiful colors!

monarchs are my favorite!

so delicate!

Aren't they lovely? What could be prettier than butterflies and flowers.

dancing queens and kings

It isn't yet near winter's end, and I'm starting to miss the vibrant colors of summer.  Last summer, on a warm and sunny day with bright light shining down on everything it touched, I saw a magical scene straight out of a dream world.  On that seemingly ordinary day, I stumbled across a spot where dozens and dozens of butterflies were feeding on little white puffy flowers.  I was surrounded by these amazing creatures.

Never had I seen so many monarchs in one place - gentle wings delicately dancing until each butterfly grasped onto their own little pillow-like flower.  It was if these orange, white and black beauties had choreographed their enchanting dance as they floated and fluttered from flower to flower.  Once the butterflies latched on to their chosen bloom, their wings slowed down to a stand-still as if slowing down allowed them to fully enjoy the sweet floral nectar. 

three feasting monarchs

I know once summer is here again, I will be looking forward to seeking out this same spot in search of these dancing beauties.