Flower Power

Whether wild or cultivated, I love them all!

Lily

Foxgloves

Spiderwort

Dandelion?

Iris

Iris

Iris

Have a Heart

Or several. :)

I promise I won't bore y'all with the horrid details of our plumbing disaster yesterday. Just suffice it to say that one doesn't truly appreciate the value of functional plumbing until it malfunctions and sewage ends up in your tubs and shower. What a helpless feeling! The problem? Tree roots growing into the line. I love our trees, but I have to admit I was ready to call an arborist to cut them down. At least the ones next to the house.

Trying to put the plumbing nightmare behind me and get ready for our fun weekend. Starting today we have a full schedule with two days in Vacherie, LA with family, and one day in St. Francisville with a sweet friend.

I'm hoping that next week will settle down so I can get back into the blogging routine. A few days ago I was depressed and lonely, and now my cup runneth over. Feast or famine! That's the way my life seems to unravel.

If any of you are prayer warriors, please say one for my daughter and her fiancee who are both flying to London today for a wedding. With all the planes gone missing or bombed lately, this mama is a tad nervous.

Enjoy the weekend and I'll catch back up with you on Monday!

Silver-spotted Skipper

Alas, the plans to see the Wood Storks was axed. After some back and forth discussions, we finally decided that the threat of rain was too great to take a chance with our camera gear. Too bad we missed it because the local news was there to cover the story. The article can be found here. Our birding instructor, Jane Patterson, was the star of the interview, and I thought she did a fabulous job.

This Silver-spotted Skipper was gracious enough to anoint the lupine for me and my camera on July 16th at the local arboretum. Am I the only one that sees frightened/sad faces in some of the blooms?

Linking to
Our World Tuesday

American Snout

As I prepare this post (Thurs, 7/17) we had a record low temperature this morning of 62ºF (17C) which broke the record of 64ºF in 1967. The day before I was able to get out with my camera and not hate every second. I still sweated, but wasn't drenched. A first for me for the middle of July.

The American Snout or Common Snout Butterfly is found in both North and South America. Their elongated mouthparts along with their antennae give the appearance of the stem of a dead leaf. This is a brilliant form of camouflage from predators. But that didn't stop one feisty bee from attacking this one every so often.

If anyone knows what type of flower this is I would be most appreciative. The smell was perfume-y and heavenly.

Earrrrrly Saturday morning a friend and I are planning to see a Wood Stork event hosted by the Audubon Society. Right now the weather calls for rain, so if anyone is doing a rain dance within a hundred miles of here, please stop. :)

Enjoy your weekend. Hope I can return next week with some Wood Stork photos!

Sharing with Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters.

Thank you for hosting, Eileen & Misty!

God's Handiwork

Before the heat and humidity zapped my will to live, I was able to spend about an hour at the local arboretum on the 26th of June. With sweat dripping into my eyes and soaking wet clothes, I know I looked a fright. Nearby were a few photographers planning a wedding reception with a bride, and every now and then they looked my way. I must've looked like some crazy lady as I scoured the plants for bugs, inspecting leaves with my readers, groping through tall stalks, kneeling on the pond's edge. Yes, I was ashamed at how awful I looked, but I kept my head down as much as possible, not only to avoid their pitiful stares, but also to at least come away with a few decent shots. Okay, enough babbling. Here is my offering to you today...

All I know is that this is from a magnolia tree. Sadly, I have no idea if it's a bud or a spent bloom.

I love this photo despite the fact that it's not technically correct in many ways,
but because I kept thinking how wonderful it would be if my world was a flower petal
and how lucky this little fella was to have such a wonderful space in which to live and explore.

Some type of beetle I think. I watched him climb from the bottom of the stalk all the way to the top.
I was like, "You GO, little dude!" Not out loud, though. The people there already thought I was not right in the head.

I don't think this creature appreciated me peeking in on him.

Finally! I was able to see two damselflies mating.
I have waited several years to witness this beautiful spectacle.

Uncropped--resized for blog.
When I first noticed this from a distance I thought it was a stick shaped like a heart. Then "it" flew off.
I'm sorry to say I violated the ethical codes of wildlife by stalking these two lovers. They finally got used to my presence
and stayed still on one leaf, so perhaps they weren't too traumatized by the paparazzo! lol

The storm clouds were gathering so I had to leave. I would have fainted eventually anyway.
Saw the arboretum fence and thought I'd better get the shot for Tex's Good Fences meme since I don't know
when I'll be able to get back outside again.

The beauty, diversity and complexity of our world astounds me, always. Yes, I complain frequently about the weather conditions, yet I always come away from these nature outings convinced of a creator, the one true God.

Romans 1:20 (CEV)

God’s eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made...

I wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July in the States! Double D and I will be attending a barbecue at my aunt and uncle's camp on the bayou.

Please click the photo to take you to the link-up and enjoy
fences from around the world.

Also linking with sweet Eileen at

Saturday's Critters!

Come join the fun. :)

Creepy Crawlies

During the second week of June I went to the local arboretum specifically to photograph dragonflies. Why do I even bother making plans? Sigh. The dragonflies weren't cooperating so I turned my attention to other insects. I don't know what most of these critters are, so if anyone can help with IDs, I'd be very appreciative.

Cute little bee with emerald eyes.

Armor in place and ready for battle!

I believe this is a whitefly, which is very destructive to plants.

Sweet little face with an ink dot for an eye.

After downloading, I noticed that this unidentified insect was apparently
rubbing his antennae together quickly which caused the blur/feather/prism.

Weird and wild!

Eating his way to the other side. Um...that won't work. lol

Wasp on a fence. Is this stretching the Good Fences qualification?
Sorry, my material is thin this week. :/

Sharing (a little prematurely) with

Please click the photo to take you to the link-up!

Also linking with sweet Eileen at
Saturday's Critters!
Come join the fun. :)

Bird Break

Hello. Thought I'd take a break from birds and show you some other things I've been shooting. These were taken at Hilltop Arboretum on April 27, 2014.

A hummer-free day!

In an effort to break my hummingbird habit, I threw my camera gear in the car and took off to Hilltop Arboretum. Traffic was a nightmare due to a collision involving three 18-wheelers, an overturned car, and a chemical spill on I-10. The interstate will remain closed throughout the evening and into the morning. Several times I almost turned around and went back home. But I persevered. How glad I am that I stuck it out.

In addition to this Tiger Swallowtail, I got a Green Heron and a PINK dragonfly! I have never seen a pink one before; red yes, pink no. Those will have to wait because I really want to post the butterfly first. I love when the sun is bright and I can lower my ISO to get the most out of the big guy. The 100-400mm lens really needs good light to perform at its best.

Even colorful underneath

There's that darn bumble bee!

Mr. Butterfly bid adieu. The bee finally won. :/

Linking to Rural Thursday.