Saturday, June 26, 2010

Happiness Haven

Uninhibited. Flamboyant. Gregarious. The Western Tiger Swallowtail is a welcome guest.
Seen sipping nectar from the ubiquitous agapanthus, the butterfly does not require exotic plants to to be happy in the home garden.


In nature: swallowtails surf air streams, coursing from ridge lines into riparian canyons. Happiness for the butterfly grows on trees. Literally. Suburban landscapes offering munchies for the caterpillars - birch, citrus, sycamore and willows-green leaves are tasty temptation for this youthful stage of life. Having found abundant food, they will cocoon. Let them rest to emerge to a nectar-filled floral banquet; a bit of water to hydrate-they will consider your garden their haven.

The only question will be: who is happier. You? Or the butterfly?

Images by Gene Sasse. Used with permission.

5 comments:

  1. What wonderful butterfly pictures, Lydia! Your garden is filled with love.

    Hmmm, I think we are both happy:)
    And blessed.

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  2. Love it. Love it. Love it!!
    I haven't paid much attention to that variety of butterfly, like name etc, but I notice when they are around and some how feel like it's my sister floating by. Sort of a loving message. Silly? Maybe. I miss her.
    Thanks for the nice blog girlfriend!
    xo

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  3. Nature and man living in harmony I think.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog today and for your kind words and prayers for my family.

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  4. Oh, it would be me, because I can't speak for The Butterfly...! But I know, I would be THRILLED beyond words.
    BEAUTIFUL, Lydia....!

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  5. Oh, the beautiful swallowtail. When I was little there were many growers in the Montebello Hills along Beverly Blvd. and these floating wonders appeared once a year. Brings back childhood memories. Thanks. XO Edda

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