Monday, May 17, 2021

Butterflies and Found Objects!


 It's wildflower season here in Florida which means the butterflies and moths abound!


Monarch Butterfly

I've never been good about identifying butterflies so I turned to my friend from It's All about Purple HERE to find out what ID books she might recommend. She suggested I buy one for Florida! So I have one on order and can't wait to get it! Hopefully it will make is a little easier! 


Black Swallowtail


Butterfly weed really attracts the butterflies!


This one looks brown but could be a Giant Black Swallowtail.


Butterflies LOVE thistle too!


And Goldenrod!


And hiking the Florida trails has always lead to 'found objects!


I know it's OK to take a painted rock and maybe leave it in another location. 


But I like to take a photo and leave it for someone else to take. 


A few more!


Did you find the heart, the girl rock, the beads, the sunshine, the sparkly red white and blue rock? Did you get a love you message and stop to read the signs along the way?


Don't walk too fast! You might miss something! heehee!

Has anything unusual turned up on your walks this week?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio,

Also I like Thursdays HERE. 


51 comments:

Arlene G said...

Beautiful shots of the butterflies!! And I miss people leaving rocks for others to find. I have a little collection from several years ago. They are so cheery.

Tom said...

...the butterflies and 'found objects' are GREAT!

Edna B said...

Beautiful butterfly photos! It's always fun to find these wonderful treasures left behind by other hikers. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

MadSnapper said...

nothing on our walk today, the only thing changed since day before yesterday, a house was painted completley and it was NOT aqua, but gray and white and they did it in 2 days. shocker... love that goldenrod shot and the path is Old Florida 100 percent if we removed the man made signs and rocks.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I love butterflies and it doesn't matter if I know (or you know) the names!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Your butterfly images are so pretty. I love the painted rocks, it is neat finding one.
You had some great sighting and finds. Take care, have a great new week!

Gillena Cox said...

Lovely lively butterflies and wildflowers. Luv the painted stones.
Thank you for dropping by and linking up
at my blog.

Much💚love

Martha said...

The butterflies are so pretty! I collect the painted rocks I find but bring my own painted rocks with me to replace them. It's a fun little hobby to paint them, leave them for others to find, and collect them too.

Ricki Treleaven said...

The thing with the painted rocks is fun! I like that...something to look for on your hikes other than wildlife!

Helma said...

Hi Diane,
what a fantastic post. I see beautiful butterflies and especially the swallowtail I love to see. Beautiful pictures of these butterflies. I read that it is normal to bring a painted stone and lay it down differently. What a nice idea this is and what beautiful items.
Be careful.
Big hug,
Helma

Joe Todd said...

Outstanding photos and post. Thank you

Ann said...

Beautiful butterflies. Other than a monarch I couldn't tell you what any of the other ones are. I'm also horrible at getting pictures of butterflies. They never sit still long enough for me to get a picture.
I do like you do. Take a picture of found items and leave them for someone else to enjoy. I haven't spotted any rocks around here in quite a while. I think the novelty wore off.

NatureFootstep said...

wow, you really got some beautiful butterflies. They are gorgeous and so are your shots of them. Love Black Swallowtail.

Love the ´found objects´. I actually have one I painted lately. I have it in my car. I was thinking of doing this for fun. Paint some stones and put them here and there. :)

Cloudia said...

How wonderful! Very smart to take photos and leave the dust collectors be. You enjoy the creature in front of you more than giving it a name. I endorse that attitude 😉

Happy@Home said...

You got some great shots of those pretty butterflies. A guide book definitely helps in identifying them, although there are some that look very similar.
What fun finds. I think I need to look harder or walk more :)

Lorrie said...

Such beautiful butterflies! There are painted rocks hidden on trails here, too, and like you, I usually take a photo and leave them. Our grands enjoy picking them up and hiding them in a new place not far away from where they were found.

happyone said...

So many beautiful butterflies captured along your way.

Lowcarb team member said...

The butterflies are so lovely ...

All the best Jan

Terri D said...

No walks for me, I'm afraid, but I love that you take us along on yours! xo

Vee said...

Lovely finds...fun treasures...did I catch a glimpse of someone special?

Linda said...

And I love your photos of the painted rocks! I should paint some!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Such pretty butterflies! It is still too early for them here but the hummingbirds have returned.

Billie Jo said...

Your photography skills are amazing!
Beautiful images of beautiful creatures.
Steve cleaned my Jeep up for me.
I posted a picture on my blog!

Angie said...

Diane - we went on our first hike of 2021 today, and there were plenty of butterflies (some of them were probably moths - I am hopeless at identification)! They seemed to like the sweat on my hubby's backpack when we stopped so that he could fish ... maybe the salt or other minerals were of interest?

I spotted some of my favorite flowers - Fairy Slipper Orchids - and that was special enough for me! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It is always useful to have a field guide dedicated to the area you are exploring. It can eliminate a whole lot of uncertainty.

Jenn Jilks said...

I'm just about ready for monarchs! OUr milkweed is growing.

Lea said...

Great photos! I especially like the butterflies!
There is an insect ID website I use.
https://www.insectidentification.org/
The first option on the website sorts the insects by state, and includes all kinds of bugs, beetles, butterflies, moths, and caterpillars.
Have a wonderful day!

Debbie said...

awwww, it is always so special to see your name on someone else's blog. how special to see me here!!

it looks like one or more of my black swallowtails have made it all the way to florida (lol), how exciting!!

in the past, i have found many rocks around lake of the lilies. i too have taken pictures, then left them for someone else, it's so fun!! i haven't found anything this week but i am always on the lookout!!

great images today, i hope you enjoy your book!!

Rajani Rehana said...

Beautiful blog

Carla from The River said...

LOVE this post. :-) I agree, stop and notice what is all around you.
xx oo

I have a fantastic butterfly book ~ Raising Butterflies in the Garden. Author ~ Brenda Dziedzic
I think it is more for Midwest.. but I would think some of our butterflies would be the same. Maybe you can check it out at the library. That is what I did first, loved it and decided to purchase it. :-)

The Feminine Energy said...

Painted rocks & butterflies... such a wonderful combo! ~Andrea xoxo

Small City Scenes said...

Butterflies are so beautiful---great shots.
I love found objects and once in awhile I will leave a painted rock on a trail.
MB

Jeanie said...

What a glorious collection of butterflies, Diane. They're beautiful -- and the photos are terrific.

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

Gorgeous butterflies, you photographed them so beautifully. Painted rocks is such a wonderful idea, great way to make someone smile.

-Soma

Juvenal Nunes said...

Enquanto você procura identificar as borboletas, eu tenho procurado identificar as flores silvestres, tarefa nem sempre fácil.
Boa sorte na pesquisa.
Abraço amigo.
Juvenal Nunes

EricaSta said...

What a wonderful Post. I love butterflies 🦋🦋🦋 At this time now I make artwork with haikus and Aquarell painting, sketching butterflies...

...I enjoyed reading. Have a wonderful week.

Aunt Helen said...

I have never seen so many beautiful Butterflies! This time you found a wealth of "treasures!" So neat! Love, Aunt Helen

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

I love those beautiful butterflies and the walks in nature. I hope you have a nice week Diane.

Teresa said...

Preciosas mariposas, me encantan. Besos.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Great finds! The painted rocks are really a treat to find. I also leave them where they are hoping for someone else to have a happy discovery. One of these days, I might paint and leave one myself.

SImple and Serene Living said...

I love going to my daughter's house to enjoy the butterflies in her garden. The first swallowtail of the season is always exciting. xo Laura

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I don't take those rocks either, but sometimes I move them so I can get a better picture! You didn't have to -- your pictures are as perfect as your memories!

Olde Dame Holly said...

Just be careful because it's Puss Moth time, too...I loved the found objects along your walk! I found a little pink sign that said "Look for rocks!" in my community garden plot! But no painted rocks themselves yet!

LA Paylor said...

so many rocks! love your photos

Red Rose Alley said...

The girl rock is sweet. And I love the sunshine rock. These are great photos of the butterflies, and the orange butterfly weed is so pretty. I can see why they want to land on that. The first photo is wonderful. Diane. I did see something unusual in the woods today.....a white fridge right in the middle of the woods. I'm not sure what the story is behind it. : )

~Sheri

PaintedThread said...

I love those rocks! lol

piecefulwendy said...

What beautiful photos of butterflies, and I just read your post on the new birds that have arrived in your area and enjoyed those photos too! Our daughter was in grad school at the U of Florida in Gainesville until last year, she is a biologist who specializes in the field of birds, so I love seeing new birds! Thanks for sharing!

Rostrose said...

That's a fantastic variety of butterflies - I'm so happy to see them! I also always look for beauty along the way - and only take photos so that others can enjoy them too.
Thank you very much for your kind compliments on my blog! I would like to help you with your wardrobe. But if you love to wear capris and tee shirts, then I think this is perfect for you! :-) Clothing should always make you feel good.
Hugs and best wishes, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2021/05/drei-schone-tage-im-april-und-haben.html

Janey and Co. said...

What a fun post! I am sorry to say that I haven’t even ventured out for a walk this week. You inspire me!

DeniseinVA said...

Debbie is great at pointing us in the right direction. She once shared information with me on a tripod that is a favorite and one we still use frequently. Your photos are smile bringers Diane. Love your beautiful butterflies and all the other sights you saw on the trail.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Your fellow hikers really keep things interesting along the way. I usually only find beer cans and discarded drink cups.