I have never held a butterfly before. This beautiful butterfly is a Giant Swallowtail. He was found fully intact, but lifeless, in our front yard this past weekend. I loved him from the moment I saw him, so lovely, so perfect, and so very fragile...
I think I am in good company when I say "I love butterflies." Every butterfly I see has the power to draw my gaze, stop my thoughts and distract my mind. Every single one is a reminder that now is the time in need of my attention...
"Butterfly flutters tickle the drowsy heart, awakening imaginations, curiosities, wonders and dreams. Where will you fly once touched by a Butterfly’s wing?" ~K. D’Angelo
much love
xx oo
Love this!! This is my favorite part of summer - the gardens are FILLED with butterflies.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful specimen! Yes, butterflies are captivating; the colors; the delicate wings...what's not to be awed by? Will you keep him; maybe mounted in a frame?
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Way to capture the beauty MJ!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a find. So beautiful and delicate. I like this "August Break" things, by the way. I don't post enough to really 'take a break,' but I appreciate the idea. :)
ReplyDeleteThey are amazing aren't they?!!!!! It is so hot here that I haven't seen very many butterflies. Usually the garden is full of them ...and dragonflies.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful MJ! They are just so magnificent!xx
ReplyDeleteWow. Perfection. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhen I find animals or animals cross my path I wonder what the deeper meaning behind this is.
Butterflies always make me think of transformation and fleeting moments of beauty, joy, and aliveness.
So beautiful! What a gift.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots MJ!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful creature! I love the quotes you share, and must say that I adore butterflies, too. So graceful and elegant!
ReplyDeleteYep, very good company. : )
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely welcome back! That butterfly is amazing and I don't know a single person who doesn't love butterflies...xo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, MJ! Sorry about the Swallowtail but it was there for you to find and wonder at and share with us. I love butterflies, they have always reminded my of my best friend. She's a free spirit like that. And, yes, they do demand our attention and bring us into "this" moment with beauty and grace.
ReplyDeletewe went to the library today and loaded up on books on caterpillars, moths and butterflies - inspired by our current read, the evolution of calpurnia tate. sorry to see a lifeless butterfly but loved seeing these photos!
ReplyDeletethat thing is HUGE- and how lucky you found something so gorgeous.
ReplyDeletebeautiful..nature sure is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
we watched two monarchs emerge yesterday from our coccons. magic! everybody should see that every year. the whole process is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWow, MJ. Beautiful! Seems just right that he was waiting there, for you to find him. Finished as he was with his body, and wanting yet, and still, and always, to pass his spirit on. To YOU. Who would treasure him and everything he means. You, who would then pass that energy on, to us.
ReplyDeleteFor which I am so grateful!
stunning, can't believe he ws so intact like that. left himself a treasure to be found by you.
ReplyDeletePerfection! I love butterflies and their haphazard flight patterns. Jacinta x
ReplyDeleteIt sat so still. Love the big buggy eyes! Beautiful!
ReplyDeletethey have such a short lifespan.....but i have to believe that this one, to be fully intact, must have gotten into some kind of bug poison.....
ReplyDeleteps....i use a pentax k-7
but it's rarely the camera that makes the difference...it's the lenses :)
WOW, that is something else!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful little gift mother nature gave to you. You're right. It is awe-inspiring.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable. As a Nabokov fan (he studies butterflies, in short) I really feel inspired when I see a butterfly, especially one like that. Amazing photo.
ReplyDeleteso true- there is something so inspiring about butterflies! she's gorgeous~
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