EVERY TIME I SPOT A BUTTERFLY, joy surges through me. There’s something about the flitting flight of a butterfly that captivates me.
But it’s more than that. I appreciate how these insects appear so carefree, as if their very existence is simply to bring beauty and joy into the world. And maybe it is.
In recent days, I’ve observed two swallowtail butterflies, one black, the other yellow, among the phlox growing wild in my flowerbeds. And some 10 days ago I photographed an Eastern tiger swallowtail atop a zinnia at the Rice County Master Gardeners Teaching Garden in Faribault.
That well-tended garden has become a new favorite oasis for me within the city limits. On the Sunday afternoon I visited the garden, I found friends Paula and Ed already there, resting on a bench. Paula was involved early on with development of this garden. She no longer is, but remains an active gardener. Paula was the one who spotted the swallowtail among the zinnias.
Per her direction, I headed to the zinnia patch to photograph the yellow swallowtail with wings outlined in black, splotches of blue and orange adding to the coloring.
The swallowtail perched, unhurried atop the yellow-centered pink flower. I had plenty of time to snap multiple frames. That’s often not the case with butterflies.
That butterflies survive a four-stage life cycle from egg to larva (caterpillar) to pupa (chrysalis) to adult butterfly impresses me. At any one stage, a predator could end their lives. But yet, here was this beautiful butterfly among the zinnias. Like the final verse in a lovely summer poem.
TELL ME: What do you appreciate about butterflies? Do you have a favorite?
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Lovely post. We have some very small butterflies here, along with the more common bigger ones. I don’t know what they are, but it amazes me that such beauty can be found in something so small. Like a tiny, flying work of art. ❤
I like your description of butterflies as “a tiny, flying work of art.”
I think they are like fairies, flitting and floating through the world, happy in spite of the many dangers around them. each year, my class and I raise painted ladies from egg to adult and the children love watching and being a part of the process. when they are ready, we take them outside and release them into the world to be free and to keep the circle of life moving as it is meant to. they live such short lives, they make the most of every moment and we could take a lesson from them. lovely, lovely shots –
I love that you raise painted ladies with your students. Oh, what they learn from that project. And, yes, we can learn from those beautiful butterflies.
BEAUTIFUL Captures 🙂 Made my day! I love the winged beings in my world – butterflies, dragonflies, bees, birds, etc. Love to watch them dance and float and dance and do their thing. I believe they are reminders of our love ones no longer here, like Cardinals remind me of my spouse’s grandmother. They also are very telling to what is going on in the environment too. We have a healthy population of bees along with butterflies and dragonflies in our yard as well as birds and bats and possums. Happy Day – Enjoy
What a yard full of winged and other creatures you have to enjoy. I’m picturing the scene in my mind.
Any butterfly is my favorite— we have a lot in our flowers as well and I have planted butterfly bushes despite locals saying they aren’t native flowers. Too bad. I like them. 😉 Great photos as always, Audrey.
Plant away, I say. One can never have too many butterfly-attracting plants. 🙂
Love butterflies! Love your pictures of them too!!!🦋🦋🦋
That garden sounds like a perfect place to hang out😊🌱
Thank you for appreciating my pix and the garden.
Just loved it!!!
🙂
Nice photos!
I saw a Black swallowtail (other identified it) yesterday on the bike trail. I captured an ok photo of it. 😉
Thank you. Those swallowtails are so beautiful, no matter their color. I spotted a yellow one again today among my flowers.