Thank you all for your sweet comments and get well wishes. I apparently don't have the flu, just another virus. I was feeling better today and actually got out to vote. When we pulled into the parking lot, the line was out the door but thankfully our particular precinct had no waiting at all.
It was such a beautiful day and I just couldn't stand to be inside all day. I walked around the yard and took a few pictures. The seed heads of the butterfly weed have opened up and the silky seeds are flying about as the breeze blows.
The way the sun was shining on the seeds reminded me of July 4th sparklers.
The lady bugs are everywhere right now.
I was sad to see the swallowtail caterpillar on the parsley this late in the season. I don't think this little one will make it before the cold weather hits.
The maple tree in my front yard is beautiful right now. I believe this one is an 'October Glory' maple.
I saw another bluebird at the birdbath today but we were on our way out the door to go vote. Hopefully he will come back tomorrow for another dip and I can get more pictures.
I love your milkweed seed photos Robin. Today must be the day for all things "butterfly" although seeing your swallowtail caterpillar makes me sad too. Have you seen them before this time of year? or is it unusual?? It seems so late to me but I think I'm a zone or so colder than you?? It was a nice day here for voting too. :-)
ReplyDeleteRobin - the milkweed photos are amazing - I love the way you captured the light on them, and I think your comparison to sparklers is so appropo. I hope your Swallowtail makes it -- we have tons of Monarchs here right now as they are passing through on their way to Mexico. I've been thinking I need to plant myself outside with the right camera lens to try to get some decent photos of them. Your photos are always so striking and beautiful -- not sure I can come close to them!
ReplyDeleteRobin, This is my first visit to your blog. I love it!!!! Your pictures are GREAT. I also love birds and photography --and just being out in God's beautiful world. We have tons of Lady Bugs right now also!!!! Hope you are feeling better. I had a 'cold'??? a couple of weeks ago--and felt pretty miserable also.
ReplyDeleteYou have some nice fall colors there, and those milkweed pics are awesome! I am glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteRobin, gkad you are feeling a little better and good for you getting out to vote. Your photos are exceptionallt pretty. Thanks for sharing your beautiful fall colors.
ReplyDeleteRobin, the pictures you took of the milkweed are absolutely stunning! They do look like sparklers. I just love the way you capture nature on film!! Keep up the good work! Glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see your bright and cheery photos Robin. I hope you feel bright and cheery soon. You can hope that the Butterfly will overwinter in the duff.
ReplyDeleteYay! The bluebirds must'a done the trick, Robin! I love milkweed and that's precisely what I want to put in my front garden.
ReplyDeleteLast year I had a chrysalis overwinter on a stick. He emerged in early spring, somewhat smaller than normal but he fluttered away regardless. He was easy to keep up with because of his size. So, maybe your caterpillar will be okay.
Your photos are glorious!
ReplyDeleteMy caterpillars seem to be gone now. However, a Monarch butterfly showed up a few days ago. There's still plenty blooming in spite of the frost.
Cameron
Hey cut some leaves and take the caterpillar inside! I really enjoyed your post..Sparklers for sure!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteTake heart: it is therapeutic to be outside AND therapeutic to vote! You'll feel better in no time...
Hi!
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me welcomed on the Blotanical site.
I´ve been watching around among your nice photos.
/Martin from Sweden
July 4th sparklers is right! You are doing some amazing things with your camera, Robin.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are fantastic. Our swallowtail caterpillars come much earlier in the season. One of the fascinations of visiting all the bloggers' gardens is seeing how seasons and mysteries progress in different parts fo the country.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos! I am smitten with the bird topped ornament in the first photo. And also feel sad for the late swallowtail... but maybe if he pupate soon enough, he will overwinter.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your feeling better. Those photos of the seeds are outstanding! Great post.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the autumn colors in other places is a nice way to extend the season :) Yours are gorgeous now. Those seed heads are so silky and pretty with the sun shining on them. Wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad you're feeling better. Yes, it's miserable when we have illnesses on top of one another, especially when we want to get that last minute work done. I had a frustrating experience with a pulled muscle in my neck last week. Awful pain! So I know what you mean by miserable.
You're so lucky to have bluebirds. I love your bird photos :)
Robin,
ReplyDeleteIt is a treat for me to be back online after being off on medical leave and to visit your lovely blog once again. I particularly enjoyed your photos of the milkweed seed pods. Great shots!
Jon at Mississippi Garden
I love that first photograph... it looks as if the tree is glowing... lovely as usual! :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
cielo
Hello there Robin,
ReplyDeleteThat spun silk is so beautiful.
I thought some butterflies always appear late in the season and then find a warm corner to overwinter, unless they are the type that take off south and fly those enormous distances.
Your many-spotted ladybirds are not popular in the UK, because they eat our native 7-spotted ones, the brutes! I have only ever seen one.
Glad you are better! You came back with a great post! Your photos are lovely; you've caught the light just so! I hope you continue to feel better. Have a nice weekend, Gail
ReplyDeleteAnother good day in your garden! I'm getting old and need my glasses lots more often. It's nice to come by your place and see what a leaf looks like close up. You got every detail as clear as I could see about 20 years ago. You have a great eye for color and clarity.
ReplyDeleteWhat glorious pictures, you are so fortunate to have such a beautiful yard. I am afraid that mine is a work still in progress!
ReplyDeleteGlad that it wasn't the flue!
Glad you are feeling better, Robin, and were able to get outside to take these photos. The milkweed photos are gorgeous! I enjoyed the bluebirds on your last post, too; hopefully they will not only bring you happiness but good health as well:)
ReplyDeleteAutumn is aflame it seems in your neck of the woods! We've had warm temps up until yesterday so ther's the crackle of leaves beneath our feet.
ReplyDeleteOh dear that poor littl swallowtail..any chance of keeping him indoors in your nursery...he needs a butterfly sanctuary..do you have one nearby!
Hi Robin, so glad you could get out and get some healthful garden photo time. The milkweed is pure magic. Seeing the caterpillar is not the usual joy, maybe he will just go to sleep, like some of the others say.
ReplyDeleteFrances
Thanks for your message! What a beatiful blog and beatiful pictures on your blog. Will follow it! //Anna
ReplyDeleteHi Robin,
ReplyDeleteI just adore your photos and it's nice to visit again. I took a long break from blogging but am back now. I had to start over because I accidentally deleted every post! It was a huge shock but I'm moving forward.
I will check back often, and, I hope you are feeling well now. Please 'drop by' any time!
Jan
Glad you felt well enough to go outside in your garden. And that you went to vote too, always important that. Love that first pic Robin, such beautiful autumn colours you have captured there.
ReplyDeleteYour are most blessed to still have so many beautiful visitors gracing your garden, Robin. Life is much quieter here since Old Man Winter peeked in.
ReplyDeletesuch stunning photographs. my first visit. and certainly not my last!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin, I'm glad you're feeling better. I hope you got lots of photos of that bluebird. We all love them so down here in Oklahoma, and to think, they were almost extinct.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your ladybug photo :) I hope you're feeling better by now. My husband recently had a terrible infection that wasn't the flu, but it was awful still.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic capture of the seed head in the sun! I love close-up shots and had been trying to capture one of these "floaties" to no avail! I'll have to wait quite awhile to try again, we are in the midst of winters' grip now.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog and beautiful photographs. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work. Rick
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, photos and articles. Very informative. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work. Rick
ReplyDeleteI'm so, so glad you commented on my reflection post, Robin. You've been in my thoughts lately and I've been wondering if you are OK. It isn't like you to go so long without posting. (((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteHello! I've only recently found your blog, and I think your photos are beautiful - I particularly love the ones of the seeds.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you've recovered from the virus.
I hope you are well, and enjoyed a nice Thankgiving with your family?
ReplyDelete