So Long July.
Thanks for the rain and rainbows at sunset . . . many hours of luminous light . . . Hemeracallis, hydrangea and hummingbirds aplenty . . . copious caterpillars becoming complete within their magical Monarch chrysalises . . . joyful viewings shared of their virgin flights into butterflies . . . first ever sighting of a Giant in the garden . . . exceptional dusk encountering . . . a family of flying squirrels soaring from house to Rock Maple trees . . . eighteen furry elusive mammals exiting the eaves one-by-one and two-by-two . . . using the furnace chimney as their runway . . . scurrying up then fast as a flash gliding over to the large tree . . . disappearing up into its full canopy . . . for our garden bats . . . fabulous human family news . . . high art experienced with a dear generous soul and heaps more.
Millions of dripping prisms painting spectrums arching across the sky . . . somewhere perhaps a pilot flies through a complete circular rainbow.
July ends with Lilium 'Journey's End'
Daylight softly fading away makes for soft focus images.
Miraculous Monarch Butterfly Metamorphosis . . . a sneak peek. More to emerge . . .
Flower Hill Farm raised and released . . .
I am certain to have raised over a thousand Monarch Butterflies during the last twenty five or more years but each time the metamorphosis astounds and amazes me. I especially feel joy at seeing them lifting off and taking their first flight.
It is an honor and privilege to witness the miracle of this courageous creatures fleeting life.
It is also an honor to share it with you.
Thank you.
Hello August.
.jpg)
16 comments:
hello Carol:
What an ode to joy this post is, dearest Carol. How can one fail to be completely enchanted by the transformation of the caterpillar to butterfly and its release into the wild. Every year, this must be a source of delight to you, just as the very first time which you witnessed this miracle of Nature.
And how beautiful Flower Hill Farm looks in all its late summer glory. Your photographs are stunning but we are certain that in reality we should be absolutely transfixed by the glory of it all.
We are delighted to read that July has brought so many good news stories to Flower Hill Farm, may August treat you just as royally!
A beautiful post and fantastic photos ! The Monarchs here feed on the wild flowers in the field beside us as there are thousands of wild flowers in this month and in September just before they migrate , its amazing to stand in this field taking photos as they flitter about litterly hundreds of them . I did that last summer and am doing that again this summer for sure , its like being in a wild butterfly sanctuary ! Have a great day !
I cannot tell you how lovely I thought this post is. All of it but especially the rainbow. I had never thought there must be the bottom of a rainbow somewhere.
What a beautiful story in pictures. Thanks.
Hello August! Hello Carol! Before I reached the end . . . as I was scrolling down, looking at the Monarchs' metamorphoses, I was thinking to myself that no matter how many times I've seen your photos, as you document this miracle, I am always exhilarated. I'm so glad that you consider it to be such a vital part of your life and can share it with others.
The entire post is a rich chronicle of summer at FHF. I especially love the view from the golden daylilies up through your arbor and ending at "the barn".
Always an experience of sheer poetry.
What a lovely post, and such beautiful pictures. I live in the middle of London and we don't have that many butterflies around. And this summer they seem to have stayed away almost completely, haven't seen any around, thanks to the cold and wet weather we have had. Lovely to see them in your photos.
I love those monarch photos! I mark the end of summer when the monarchs fly south.
Kära Carol!
Congratulations to the rain! Not only does the landcape benefit from it, so do your photos too! I love that misty softness!
Our valley is a butterfly valley. This year they really thrive! About 30 are known to us, the rest, mainly grass butterflies, are difficult to identify. But I have never tried to raise any. How do you manage and where do you keep them? I think my grandchildern would be fascinated if we could host a little butterfly farm.
Kram/Laila
Wow, fabulous photos Carol!
The beautiful lighting just makes the pictures come alive.
Carol, July sounds and looks like a wonderful month. I am so glad and thank you for sharing your wonderful images...The butterfly bush with the misting background is delightful....gail
it amazes me too, they are so very beautiful as are your flowers Carol! I often think your images would be wonderful in magazines. lovely weekend to you.
Carol, I am always impressed with your monarch photos. And I did a double take at your rainbow. I haven't see a rainbow in a long time, but there was an identical one in my area the same day as yours, though early morning. It really lifted my spirit as I drove in to work.
So very beautiful~
Truly Breathtaking! Thank you for sharing such glorious beauty!
Beautiful, beautiful post and photos. So glad I stumbled here this evening. It was like reclaiming a bit of summer already past.
Post a Comment