Recalling Winter's White Surprise ~ Dreams of Pearly Petals

Winter white robin

absent pigments of color

feathers like petals

Time passing quickly

winter mild and not so white

dreams on milky clouds

A rare bird sighting

white gown among crabapples

wistful pearly blooms

 Magnolia stellata

fluttering snow-white petals

sweeten spring evenings

White pillow promise

plump peonies bush and tree

stippling a landscape

Snowball hydrangea 

light before white birch tree trunks

follow later on

A white time just past

April may bring new carpets

mist reflecting light

Petals and flights of birds

unfurl and arrive too soon

springs frosty freeze tease

A ghostly robin

albinism or leucism

perilous for life

It truly was a special February day, when I chanced to look out and see this beautiful bird harvesting apples with other robins. A rare sighting . . . but one in thirty-thousand . . . it is reported by Journey North. You can learn more about this phenomenon here. A white robin may be beautiful to observe but it is a danger to the robin, as it stands out in the flock and can be more easily preyed upon. 

Eyeing this white robin inspired me to dream of pearly white blooms. I did not realize then how soon many would unfurl.

The early summer heat, that pressed upon spring, melting snowdrops while tempting many magnolia blooms to cast off their protective calyx-armor, parted, as suddenly as it came and left us cold . . . dipping into temperatures of low 20's F. 

Everywhere one notes brownish tinges on early blooms within the trees. Here too, my today stellata wishes her portrait not to be seen so I share last years photos. 

A strange winter and beginning spring to go with this unique sighting of a white robin.

Our peonies are hardly even showing just now but there are many buds along with a sundry of stirrings through the delicate detritus that makes up the garden carpet. You will not find me out there digging or tidying anything up for awhile . . . just in case there are butterflies in process.
 The American woodcock is still enjoying the fields and open sky at dawn and dusk . . . I so enjoy trying to catch a glimpse of him and hearing his mating wing song.
Happiest of Aprils to All! 

Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Fritillaries Part Two ~ Surprise Ending!

Flower Hill Farm's Fritillary parade ends with Great Spangled Fritillaries dipping into purple petals. Buddleia Black Knight, considered a noxious weed by many, barely survives in my northern garden. It is a magnet for butterflies, thus its common name of Butterfly bush. The complimentary colors are very striking enhancing the longwing butterflies beauty. 

There are many old-fashioned ideas and ways of being that I aspire to. I do not, however, care for the old-fashion nets that people take out into nature to capture butterflies. I rather like the way we capture butterflies in our photos and let them live out their lives in the gardens. Studying a creature while it is animated and alive is a far better way to observe and understand its life. Collections of dry, brittle and lifeless butterflies with pins stuck through them is one old-fashioned collection I can do without.

Ironweed is another favorite for butterflies and this Great Spangled Fritillary takes advantage of the nectar hidden within the last tiny florets.
Do you ever wonder what became of the fifth and sixth legs of some butterflies? If you look closely you can see one of those tiny legs next to the spotted eye of this fritillary. I am not as familiar with these as I am with monarchs, who use those tiny legs to prick and taste milkweed for freshness. Some scientist believe butterflies are evolving to have only four legs. I think those tiny legs come in pretty handy to aid in balance and . . . well we will see what time tells.

Back in a mostly drab color time . . . 

Purple sunrise skies are still a treat many a chilly morning. 

Yesterday, winter gave me a particular surprise! 

White . . .  like the snow falling outside right now . . .  and orange tones similar to the Fritillary butterflies appears on a familiar bird. But something is off? 

A sneak peek at a bird post coming up soon. 

Can you identify this bird? 

Meanwhile it is Friday and time again to fly away to Sweden to visit Katarina and join in on the old-fashion prompt.