Of Monarchs and Milkweed

  Monarch butterflies, known to their scientific friends as Danaus plexippus, abound this year—at least in the areas I frequent.  Even though they are considered relatively common, I see them as miraculous.  Backlit by bright midsummer sun, monarchs’ orange, black and white wings glow as they float from flower to flower.  Unlike many other butterfly … Read more

Butterfly Farewell

The night temperatures are growing cold enough so that last week I turned the heat on in my house for the first time since spring.  The plants have caught a whiff of the oncoming season, but most of them are still going strong.  The roses shine, almost literally, in the autumn light, with a color … Read more