seeing light

Some days light presents itself. Other days, you have to seek it. I believe it is always there. In one form or another.

our oldest grand dog Jameson is 11.5 yrs old

(note; the flying pests)

Jameson's mom took him for a second acupuncture treatment yesterday. They seem to help with his mobility. My daughter sent me this photo of him during his treatment :)

good boy

Dog walks in the woods feel different with only one dog. I have been walking with one (Tank) more often. It certainly has advantages, but I miss Aurora's Doggie Daycare walks.

Jameson lives for sniffing, strolling and rolling around. He is a typical Lab. I have to keep my eyes on him at all times. 

J has lived with us most of his life

Last week I took my big camera for a walk, along with both dogs. After seeing cranes and other unique winged wonders pockets of light shined through the darkness of our woods. 

sweet smelling wild phlox

a glimmering classic toad stool caught my eye

stumps foster ferns and renew growth

Full sun, here we come. The annuals that typically outshine the perennials in my Butterfly Garden are almost non-existent this year. For whatever reason. It did not help that July's weather was too atrocious to keep up with the heavy duty weeding this area requires for seeds to flourish.

Now I know, why natives grow so tall. To survive. They also seek light.

Black-eyed Susans

 Royal Catch-fly

one lone Zinnia

Yellow Coneflowers sway in the breeze

Liatris bloom top down

I recently spent the day with my two youngest grandkids. One carries on a 5th generation family name (Aurora) and my middle grand is my birthday twin. 

Our day started at Olbrich Gardens. A unique educational garden treasure. I have written about it before. Many special family memories have been made their over the years.

We were first in line for Blooming Butterflies in the conservatory. Nothing short of a miracle lol. Much to our delight, they had just released more wings that morning. They were fluttering absolutely everywhere!!! It was like hitting the jackpot! I have attended this annual butterfly event more than once and this is not always the experience. Timing is everything.

All ages attend. The two kiddo's made so many people smile. Especially me. Strangers faces would light up with the kids squeals and "grandma, grandma look..." over and over again.

I usually bring my big camera to this photographers dream. However, this visit my focus was spending time with my grands. Of course, I snapped phone pics regardless. Of the kids and us, and the many beautiful winged wonders.

Below are just a few shots of the butterflies we enjoyed.

Malachite emerging (L)

The Chrysalis Cases ^^ were so fascinating!

Malachite butterfly was a fav



Malachite open wings

Queen

Julia

Julia open wings

White Peacock

Zebra

Spicebush Swallowtail

Later that afternoon, we enjoyed a surprise butterfly visit at home!! The kids were so excited "..it is huge!!". Larger than any of the butterflies we saw in the observatory.

Giant Swallowtail

I smiled when what appeared to be the same swallowtail fluttered past me again the following morning.