Nature’s Beauty in My Backyard

The following 4 photos were taken with my iPhone. They have a dreamy quality to them that I like.

           Blooming Lantana – April 2013

A yellow rosebud sharing spring’s possibilities.

This is Salvia Lyrata. I love its green foliage with the streaks of purple. It purple flowers are very elegant. Too bad it only blooms in the spring!

I love the color of this rose and it has a wonderful fragrance.

Blooms and New Growth

Spring has really shown up! Some tulips I planted in pots were very beautiful for a few days. My roses  are putting on a spectacular show. The yellow coral honeysuckle has also bloomed! I spied the first caterpillar of the spring on some fennel a few days ago. Our newest addition to our yard is our double composting bins. We are having fun adding coffee grounds, egg shells and fruit and vegetable peels to the bins along with our fall leaves and spring trimmings!

Spring Roses April 2013

Beautiful Blooms on Honeysuckle

Tulips – April 2013

Migrating Monarchs

Image: Chuck Patterson, Driftwood, Texas, March 30, 2013

Time is Passing

This monarch’s torn and transparent wings show the effects of time. If this butterfly was born last August, it is 8 months old now! Most migrants from Mexico will have died by the end of April. Monarchs only live 2-6 weeks after they enter breeding condition because they direct their energy towards reproduction.

(I found this information on the Journey North website. See my Blogroll)