Dreamy Morning

taken:
day fifty five
08.14.2011

A dreamy shot of a fuzzy bumble bee in the morning light on a showy lavender 'obedient plant'. This bumble bee was almost getting lost in these sweet flowers. It would climb so deep into each blossom that all I could see was the tippy tail of it's rear end and the tips of it's back legs. So funny! 

Like Springtime

taken:
day fifty four
08.13.2011

You might never guess that these tiny white blossoms with their tight winding vines are 'wild cucumbers'. Yep, those annoying vines that like to drape themselves in trees, on shrubs and practically EVERYWHERE this time of year. 

As I took a closer look at these bursting flower clusters I discovered they are very fragrant. They smell like springtime. Fresh and sweet. Soon the flowers will fade, making way for the weird round spiky fruits that will appear later in the season.

Curl of a Leaf

taken:
day fifty three
08.12.2011

We are growing indian corn this year and I was excited to see that the tassles were growing from the tops of some of the stalks. As I took a closer look at the tassles I peeked in and came face to face with this adroable little treefrog tucked away neatly in the curl of a leaf. This little guy was nestled perfectly cozy, hiding from the midmorning sun.

Crepe Paper Petals

taken:
day fifty two
08.11.2011

Brimming with exotic crepe paper pink petals, this hardy hibiscus is a symbol of midsummer. It seems a shame that these stunning blossoms only last a day or so. Their life is short lived yet they dazzle in the garden while they are here.

Stripes of Light

taken:
day fifty one

08.10.2011

I love looking for bits of light. Bits and pieces of light that dance and sway and beam. These bright green pine needles captured stripes of light in the afternoon sun.

Joyful Beacons of Brightness

taken:
day fifty
08.09.2011

Here's another beauty in my mother-in-law's garden. She has some of the most unique flowers. I believe this one is called a 'helenium'. 

I love the ruffly yellow and orange speckled petals. Each and every flower is different from the next. Some glow more orange, some glow more yellow. They are joyful beacons of brightness even when the sun isn't shining.

Vision to Behold

taken:
day forty nine
08.08.2011

Caught in mid-flutter, this 'eastern tiger swallowtail' butterfly is a vision to behold. They are common this time of year, yet such an exquisite butterfly and so delightful to watch while wandering through the garden.

Modern and Classic

taken:
day forty eight
08.07.2011

According to my littlest son, this is a 'modern' butterfly. Funny little guy forgets that this classic butterfly is called a 'monarch' instead. These 'monarchs' are a frequent sight this time of year in Minnesota.

They are definitely out in full flutter these days. All butterflies are. And they seem much more docile this month than they were last month. Every butterfly I encountered last month was too fast to snap photos of. They were swift and unsettled and seemed too busy to stay in one place for too long. 

Now they are subdued as they drift from flower to flower. Where they pause almost dazed by the summer heat and sweet nectar.

Meandering

taken:
day forty seven
08.06.2011

Following a fleeting afternoon downpour the clouds drifted and the sun came out again. Which meant it was the perfect time for me to grab my camera and meander outside. One of my favorite times to snap photos just so happens to be right after a rain shower as the sun shines, making the lingering droplets glisten.

We were out at my parent's place celebrating my dad's birthday. So I walked along my parent’s yard and as I did, I found this red dragonfly meandering among the grasses and raindrops.

Eye Catcher

taken:
day forty six
08.05.2011

This honeysuckle vine is an eye catcher. It blooms from spring to fall and sometimes beyond. Bright coral colored blooms with touches of yellow drip from the vines for nearly 3 seasons out of the year. I love the vivid happy color that they bring to the garden.

Peekaboo

taken:
day forty five
08.04.2011

Isn't this just the cutest little grasshopper you've ever seen? It was hanging out in my mom's garden in this fluffy dahlia bloom, playing peekaboo from between the pale pink petals. 

Bitten

taken:
day forty four
08.03.2011

Another pretty moss rose from my container gardens. I didn't notice until after I took the photo that the tips of petals are bitten down. A little bug or caterpillar must have thought it was a tasty treat. 

Buzzing Around

taken:
day forty three
08.02.2011

Ever see one of these creatures buzzing around? You may have thought it was a hummingbird at first glimpse. But, in fact, it's not. It's a moth! A 'hummingbird clearwing moth'. As well as resembling a hummingbird, they also remind me {a bit} of a shrimp with a fuzzy body and wings. Kinda funny!

I watched this one zip from blossom to blossom on my mother-in-law's pink garden phlox. It moved so fast but didn't seem phased by me and my camera. It was too busy slurping up sweet nectar with is super long straw-like tongue.

Hello Tiger

taken:
day forty two
08.01.2011

Hello August. Hello bright and happy tiger lily. 

My tiger lilies erupted just in time to welcome the month of August. These lilies are tall. Taller than me. They tower over the garden with stature and elegance.