Hello Hello there!
Come on over for a visit at my house, won'tcha?
The butterfly bonanza has gotten insanely unbelievable over the last handful of days.
There are so many butterflies I can hardly believe it.
I know I talked about this the other day, however, I don't want my photos to stay hidden
in my photo files forever, so I just had to share.
I took all of these yesterday and today.
I think my nature loving senses are heightened because I have been in grueling 24 hour renewal courses for 3 days, for my previous career (real estate, you have to renew every 2 years).
9 hours for two days, and 6 for another.
I keep everything up to date and my license active, just in case, you know?
I am fond of back-up plans myelf.
I mean myself.
Well, my elf too.
But you know.
;)
So...
You have to pass all these on-line exams with 80%, it's insane and long.
Long long long.
Pleasant, but very long.
While I was attending the University of Arizona, my junior year, my dad convinced me to spend my summer in real estate school. (I was 21 or so)
Then you have to take national and state exams.
So I did. It was hard studying times.
And 2 years after graduating from the U of A with a bachelor's degree, I went into real estate.
After doing a little interior design, and running my jewelry making business simultaneously.
All the while painting and painting and creating by night.
I did so many jewelry and art shows throughout those years.
Boundless endless energy I had.
I was in real estate for about 8 years (doing art/jewelry shows still),
and then I plunged into my art world full time.
And so, here we are.
Almost 6 years now.
Not that you wanted to know all of that, haha!
Anyhow, I am bewitched by butterflies these last few days, after that visit into my past life.
Just when I thought it could not get any better in the butterfly department.
Here's the thing.
Over the last week, the butterflies have multiplied in numbers you only dream about.
I am not stretching the truth either.
There are some places in the garden where you can stand and be enveloped by about 500 butterflies, of all types.
Especially between two tree height desert broom bushes, that are flowering, not far from the cottage.
The photo below was my attempt to share the experience.
Multiply the amount of butterflies in the photo below by about 6, and you can imagine how many butterflies flutter around you.
It's just that they move so fast, it is impossible to photograph the experience properly.
I stand in the middle of them, and I feel like I am in an otherworldly fairy tale.
It is truly worthy of the word, magical.
Truly.
I wish you could see it for yourself.
It feels like a dream.
How on earth did this happen?
I just don't know.
I can't photograph them all, as some are so quick.
But I try as I might.
There are these big sherbet orange ones.
With a tinge of grey on the top wing edges.
And there is this elusive medium/large white one.
With a tinge of ultra light lavender on the wings.
I am on the hunt for that one, camera at my side.
Although I broke my really fancy camera (sobs on floor), so I hope these photos are okay.
(It's at the camera doctor. I hope he can fix it, my extended warranty had expired at Sony)
Sometimes there are 5 butterflies on one flower, but they take off so darn quick.
And fragile little yellow ones...
There are also these below, when open are bright orange. While closed, they meld into the tree bark.
I wonder if these are moths?
Super orange and butterfly-ee once open though.
And of course, the giants below...
I like the photo below because sweetmeanie Matty is in the background.
(Matty short for Matisse)
He is like a cat.
Loves you do death, on his own terms.
Although, he loves me the best.
Then Lovee, then Miles.
Only, he doesn't let me have any friends.
He hates them.
All of them.
He doesn't care how nice anyone is :)
(although he seemingly likes grandma)
Last night he slept on the couch, while we watched a movie, with his super warm body pressed up against my left arm so tight, and his head on my chest. Practically purring.
Then I moved less than an inch, and he scoffed angrily, so annoyed was he, and moved to the chair.
Then he shot me a dirty look.
:)
That's my Matty.
They (Matty and Miles) both just stare at the butters though.
They don't try to catch them like they do with the bees and flies.
Love the wing shape below...
I think butterflies have some fantastical secrets they hold near and dear.
Don't you?
Some wonderland world they come from, bringing a little into this world.
Yes yes, that must be it.
I am so glad they chose to live here.
Right before I took the photo below, there was a butterfly on each flower, but when I snapped, they took off.
Poof.
Just like that.
The towering 8 ft. plant below (there are two next to each other right in front of the cottage), is called a Mexican sunflower. I think.
Pretty sure.
(Tithonia rotundifolia)
Yay, so glad to be back!!!
Woo hoo!!
I felt like those 3 days would never end :)
Party time!
Loove, V
