Yesterday, I was walking Scoutie on the property. As I headed around the corner of the porch, I saw the most gorgeous Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. He was on one of the blooms on the butterfly bush, wings fully spread, quite still.
No camera.
So I tried to hurry Scout along as best I could so I could get her back in the house and grab my camera. I managed to get back there with the camera, but the butterfly had changed positions. He moved around a lot more and I could never quite capture that stillness he had when I first saw him. I think he sensed my presence.
I followed him around the property. Here he is on the phlox. But the images are a bit blurry because his wings were moving. This will give you an idea of his size and his beauty.
I rather like this photo. Wings in Motion.
But oh, if I had the camera with me when I was walking Scout, what a picture that would have made!
Then there’s my pal, the Hummingbird Moth. He’s everywhere: the phlox, the butterfly bush, the hanging plants. He moves very quickly.
This morning I opened the door to let Scout out and thought I saw something, but couldn’t be sure.
I grabbed my camera.
I was shocked. The morning glories have been growing very slowly this year. Some of the shoots haven’t even reached the fence yet and the vines have yet to really take off. I didn’t expect anything out of it until at least the end of the month.
So this was a delightful surprise!
August 12, 2014: The first morning glory bloom of the season.
And you know I love my morning glories.
We’re due for rain today and tomorrow. We really need it as it’s been very dry here lately. But I hope it holds off for a while so I can try to find that darn butterfly again!
On another note.
I’m heartbroken by the tragic death of Robin Williams. His talent and heart were enormous. Many of you have either struggled with depression or watched someone you love struggle with it. It is very, very real. I’ve lost friends to suicide, friends who saw no way out, who couldn’t summon another possibility in that one moment in time. To try and understand the death-grip of depression from a rational point of view is pointless. All rationality goes out the window. What is needed is compassion. I pray that those who suffer from depression and who feel lost will reach out for help. We need to erase the stigma that surrounds depression. It’s an illness. As is addiction.
Such, such sadness this morning.
Happy Tuesday.
Beautiful photos, Claudia. One of my fondest memories of living in married student housing at Cornell was the fence of blue morning glories.
We were in the Berkshires last month, and the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield had a wonderful exhibit on caterpillars (amazing photos that you would love) and a live butterfly area. Being surrounded by that much beauty was delightful. I was only disappointed that none of them “landed” on me. Now if it had been mosquitoes…!
I hope your treatment for Lyme goes quickly and that you are back to your usual coffee routine before you know it!
Thank you, Sylvia!
The little girl I babysit and I had a visit from two beautiful butterflies yesterday. It looked like they were playing together and they were yellow and black too. I am also saddened by the death of Robin Williams. He was so gifted and just so good at his craft. I have sunk into depression and asked for medication for it three times in my almost sixty years. The first medication made it worse but the Dr. changed it after a few weeks and the second medication really helped. However, the last time I was prescribed something I read the side effects through thoroughly and decided those were worse than the depression. In a few days I felt better. I once heard that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Don just repeated that quote last night, Janie. We are so, so saddened at this loss. xo
I love that “wings in motion” shot Claudia, and the morning glory – oh! What a vibrant blue they are. It is so sad about Robin Williams. I do hope his family can find peace and not be hounded by the press.
I do, too, Vera. How devastated they must be.
What gorgeous flowers! And the first morning glory of the season is always such a delight! My vines are going absolutely crazy and going for a visit over the fence to see my neighbor. Sure do hope he appreciates the visit-ha We had a few blooms and then the heat of summer arrived. When the temperature drops a few degrees, I know the blossoms will return. Late one evening last week, I caught a glimpse of a giant butterfly investigating lantana blossoms outside the window. I ran to the window to watch and then giggled to myself about my behavior. Anyone familiar with indoor cats would have likened my acrobatics to those of a cat eyeballing a bird, squirrel or other “trespasser” outside the window. All lacking was the chitter chatter an indoor cat will make–haha What a hoot to observe…too bad my hubby missed the show :-)
My heart is saddened by the passing of Robin Williams. May he now be resting in peace. And may all the HAPPY he spread through his comic genius be remembered with never ending smiles. Nanu nanu
I think that’s what his wife said in her statement to the press. She wants everyone to remember him for his life, his humor, his talent – and not for the way his life ended.
Your photos are so beautiful this morning. I love them all. I too am so saddened by the death of Robin Williams. Your words explaining depression are so eloquent and so right. Thank you.
Tana
You’re welcome, Tana.
We just had a butterfly exhibit at Olbrich gardens…fantastic! So many species that are never seen here in our gardens. I am certainly going to miss Robin Williams. He never failed to make me laugh…and that’s how I will remember him. One thing puzzles me…how can someone who gives so much humor and laughter to others, be suffering from depression? I don’t understand it…but then maybe I’m not meant to. All I know is, he was a very gifted man, and he will be missed! ;)
Well, I think the puzzlement over someone who brings so much joy to others also suffering from depression is just a reminder that everyone has their private battles. That what we see is just one part of that person. Depression is a disease, and just like other diseases, it can lurk behind the scenes. To me it isn’t at all surprising. Everyone has their demons.
So sad about Robin Williams. As I watched TV this AM I can understand why people still attach such a stigma to depression. It is awful the way these “news” people yammer on and on about how such a funny man could “do this”. People still seem to blame the depressed person for their actions and their reactions. It is OK to seek treatment for diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and drug and alcohol addictions, but when the topic wanders towards mental illness, people seem to think that people afflicted with those diagnosis have control over what they “do”. I don’t understand it. No one would choose a diagnosis of cancer OR a diagnosis of a mental illness. Both require treatment. Both require compassion.
Hope you have a wonderful day. We, too, were to get some rain, but it went all around us and we did not get a drop. Hope you fare better than did we!!
I agree. Perhaps before these news people open their mouths they should educate themselves. There is so much that needs to be done to educate the public about mental illness.
He didn’t feel he had a choice. That much is obvious. And it makes it all the more heartbreaking.
Thank you for sharing the hummingbird moth. I had never heard of or seen one before. Love your morning glory. My grandmother planted them every year on her garden fence.
The hummingbird moth is amazing. In fact, the first time I saw one a few years ago, I thought it was a hummingbird. It wasn’t until I took pictures of it and did some research that I discovered its true identity. It moves very much like a hummingbird does.
The news of Robin William’s death left a hole in my heart…so much sadness. But your beautiful images of flowers and fauna brought back a bit of gladness…it has been raining since early morning here.
I’m happy the pictures brought some cheer to you today, Donna.
The morning glory looks like its been lit up from within! So pretty. I, too, was saddened by the loss of Robin Williams. I do not want to forget how he died only so that I never forget how damaging depression can be, and how many lives have been stolen because of it. My mom had worked with a young Korean boy, many years ago, while working in an elementary school. He called my mom Number 1, because he liked her so much. She saw him grow up into a lovely, talented (artist) , straight A,young man who took his own life, just before graduating from high school. People said he had it all. No body knew of the depression he suffered from. Robin Williams was one of my favorite actors, both for his sense of humor and his serious acting, as well. He will be missed. Prayers to his family.
Such a heartbreaking loss at such a young age. It’s like a silent killer, isn’t it. That poor boy.
Claudia, love the photos! The butterfly in motion is gorgeous and oh the morning glory! On the sad note of Robin Williams death, it is so hard to understand but depression is such a horrible illness! I feel for his family and all of us who have lost his talent and his humanity.
hugs,
Linda
We all suffered a great loss. I can’t even begin to imagine what his family is going through.
Morning glories are one of my favorites and I have a purple one (pink throat) along my fence. Love the sky blue ones, too.
Oh, Robin Williams. I can’t count the times I’ve belly-laughed during his interviews. They were, in my opinion, his greatest genius moments, those impromptu riffs on anything. I’ve suffered depression since my teens and now I’m in my 60’s. How well I know the stigma, especially from “church” friends who say get over it or worse, pray harder. I hate that he felt the need to end it, but I do pray he has found peace. He’ll keep the angels laughing, that’s for sure.
If only it were that simple to ‘get over it’ Melina. Some people seem to think you can just change your mood and all will be well.
I pray he has found some peace, as well.
Funny how you see amazing things when you don’t have your camera..Sorry you missed such a good shot Claudia..I have battled with depression since I was a teen Claudia..including one suicide attempt way back then..I still take medication and probably always will..I did learn that I didn’t really want to die..I just wanted to feel better..I feel so bad for Robin and what he did to end the hurt and pain..but I can also tell you that I fully understand what he felt at that moment..Bless you Robin..RIP..and thanks for everything..
Then you know better than most, Nancy, what depression is. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. xo
Robin Williams & I share a birthday so like the goof I am, I’ve always felt connected to him in a teeny way. I was stunned beyond belief to hear the news this am. How ironic that someone who brightened so many lives should end his own because the pain was becoming just too much to bear. Depression is an organic disease, just like cancer, diabetes and a thousand others. No one should be made fearful, embarrassed or uncomfortable by seeking help for it. And hopefully soon we’ll know what to do about it too. Personally I feel certain it will require nothing more than a small pill or even better, a few delicious organic leaves of something. Rest in peace, birthday buddy.
Read your blog this morning before going down the outside staircase to the basement laundry room. At the foot of the stairs I was stopped by the sight of two Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies having a great old time with the lantanas. Galveston Island is pretty much at the far western edge of this butterfly’s range.
My son is the one who told me about Robin Williams yesterday morning at 5:30 a.m. since I don’t watch the news or read the newspaper. So sad. Definitely hard to understand. Everyone has their demons.
I saw my first hummingbird moth in Durango, CO last month. Fasccinating! But the butterflies would not be still long enough for me to get their pictures. I saw some really big ones, too, but they were busy flitting here and there and everywhere.
Have a great day. Tammy
Love your butterfly shots. I too am saddened by the death of Robin Williams. Big loss. Such a tragedy.