Do you ever just need a nature break? Those of us that work indoors for most the day sure do. Air conditioning is lovely and lack of mosquitoes divine, but at least once a day I just have to take the plunge. These are pictures from this week's sneaks.
 |
| Buckeye butterfly on Monarda fistulosa |
I work from home so you’d think it would be easy, but there are busy days with little chance for “me” time, let alone nature time. Then a butterfly will float past my window as if to remind me that the great outdoors is waiting. Or rather, it is
not waiting!
 |
| Gulf Fritillary butterfly on Joe Pye Weed |
 |
| Silver skipper on Joe Pye |
Once outside, I explore the blooming plants. Sometimes a bloom has come and gone since the last time I checked – how I hate that I missed it! On the ones still open, I check for insects. Who is visiting, how many different bees on the mountain mint (Pycnanthemum), how many different butterflies on the Joe pye weed (Eutrochium fistulosum)?
 |
| Dark form tiger swallowtail on Asclepias tuberosa |
 |
| Bee on mountain mint |
Baby toads hop by and Carolina anoles scamper along the fence rail. Checking for fruit, I spy a baby rat snake coiled around a paw paw branch (Asimina triloba). I run back inside to get my camera, but he’s too high to get a good picture. Another butterfly goes by and I’m off in another direction, glad that I have the camera already in hand.
 |
| Light form tiger swallowtail on Aralia spinosa |
 |
| Skipper on unopened Stokesia laevis |
As I return inside, hot and itching the mosquito bites, my senses are alive with what I’ve seen and the most excellent reminder of how much else is out there besides me.
Nature breaks are so much better than coffee breaks! Be sure to take some for yourself.
Love all that.
ReplyDeleteAh, I know that feeling of being alive after taking a "nature break." Nice post. I almost felt like I was taking the break with you. Cynthia
ReplyDeleteLove your butterfly photos. My husband got some great shots last year of the gulf fritillary (man,I can't spell it!)...it is so different on the underside of the wing, it looks like an eye!
ReplyDeletemy husband and I used to go hiking in the woods. I loved finding streams to make pictures of. I could never resist taking off my shoes and socks and wading. My husband has Parkinson's and we have had to give up so many things but the most I miss is walking in the woods.
ReplyDelete