Anticipation

taken:
day forty six
08.05.2013

The zinnias that I planted from seed this spring are just starting to open. The buds look so interesting just before it's petals slowly uncurl, full of possibility and anticipation. I can't wait to see this one in full color once it's completely revealed.

Wispy Whimsy

taken:
day forty five
08.04.2013

Some wispy fountain grass that I have growing in a container garden along our front sidewalk. Fountain grass is one of my favorite things to plant in a container garden. I love their purple blades of foliage and soft plumes that emerge later in the summer adding some fun texture and whimsy.

Sparkling

taken:
day forty four
08.03.2013

Here's some wild grass sparkling in the golden evening sunshine. I'm in love with the way the setting sun illuminates with magical and glittery sprinkles of light. It's so fun searching for light, the right angle and a subject that will glisten.

Any Moment

taken:
day forty three
08.02.2013

Just a lonely wild sunflower growing among some other prairie flowers. 

It's about to pop open at any moment now.

Teeter Tottering

taken:
day forty two
08.01.2013

On a nature walk with my boys and my mom we saw this dragonfly teeter tottering on some tall prairie grass. The dragonfly fought the wind, shifting back and forth, this way and that, using it's wings to keep balance, struggling to stay perched. Then it would take to flight for just a brief second, loop around and land right back on top of the tall prairie grass, hunting in the usual manner that dragonflies do.

Blends In

taken:
day forty one
07.31.2013

I found this soldier beetle hanging out on a pretty bright lights cosmos bloom. I almost missed it since it blends in so well with the vibrant orange petals.

Adorable

taken:
day forty
07.30.2013

Another tiny bee, this one on a small creamy yellow wildflower blossom. I see these cute little bees lingering on flowers everywhere lately. I'm not even sure if they are technically bees but they look like it to me so that's what I call them. They have huge buggy eyes, sweet little iridescent wings and a striped behind. I think they're adorable. 

Just Before

taken:
day thirty nine
07.29.2013

A pale pink 'picotee' cosmos just before disclosing it's delicate petals to the open air.

Fluttering By

taken:
day thirty eight
07.28.2013

While weeding my garden I noticed this butterfly fluttering by. I didn't recognize it so I tried to research and identify it and was only partially successful. I believe it's a Fritillary variety but couldn't pinpoint which one exactly. Many of them look so similar!

Anyone have more patience than me to identify it? :)

Since seeing this one, I've spotted many more fluttering around. It's so fun to have a new species of butterfly visiting my yard.

Bright Lights

taken:
day thirty seven
07.27.2013

My 'bright lights' cosmos are starting to bud and bloom like crazy. I love how they add bright pops of color to the border of my garden. Butterflies, bees and other insects love them too!

Toward The Sky

taken:
day thirty six
07.26.2013

Flowering dill branches always remind me of bursts of fireworks exploding toward the sky.

Teeny Tiny

taken:
day thirty five
07.25.2013

A teeny tiny bee on one of the first cosmos to bloom this summer.

Super Star

taken:
day thirty four
07.24.2013

Daylilies never disappoint! With their constant display of brilliant color all summer long and their true hardiness to survive year after year, they could quite possibly be considered the super star of the season. This darling daylily is filling the garden with hues of coral, yellow and orange right now. It seems unfair that each blooms lasts only one day but thankfully each plant is loaded with buds that are ready to become show stoppers for a mere 24 hours.

Grazing Bumble Bee

taken:
day thirty three
07.23.2013

There's no shortage of bumble bees grazing on spotted knapweed these days. The knapweed is invasive and has really taken over in certain areas around here. I notice more and more of them popping up each summer. Though invasive and harmful, the bumbles don't care, they love the wispy pollen filled wildflowers.