Monday, September 3, 2012

Painted Lady

While I was walking by the back door the other day I noticed a couple of butterflies fluttering about.  At first glance, I thought they were Monarchs, but it turned out they were Painted Lady butterflies.  The noticeable marks are the black-spotted wings.
 
 
They sure love the Origanum 'Rotkugel' blooms.  There were four of them enjoying the bright sunny day and blue skies.

 
After watching them for a few moments I decided to pick some oregano to bring indoors.  These flowering stems have dark purple calyces and deep pink flowers.  They looked very pretty on my kitchen counter. 

  
The above photo was edited with the Florabella Collection using the sweetness action.  A Shadowhouse Creations pastel texture was added on multiply at 100% opacity, with some of the texture removed from the glass bottle.  I also added a slight vignette and finished it off with the French Kiss Vintage Invoice overlay on soft light at 25%.

 Today I am joining ...

Macro Monday @ Lisa' Chaos
NF Inspiring Photography @ NatureFootstep meme
Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean
Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes
Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
Flower Art Friday @ Photos by LeAnne
Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday
Flowers on Saturday @ Blueberry Craft & Hobby
Today's Flowers on Saturday @ Today's Flowers

35 comments:

Sunray Gardens said...

Love the butterfly photos and the blooms too.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Terry said...

I never realized oregano is so pretty! Great photos of the butterflies and flowers. I was picking blackberries today with my daughter and all we saw were dragonflies and bees.

Hugs,

Terry

Introverted Art said...

Donna the butterfly shot is so amazing. I love it.

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Hi Donna,

I love Painted Lady butterflies. That is one super great close-up. Your last picture looks just like a beautiful painting. The oregano blooms are wonderful.

Dee

Ida said...

Such a pretty butterfly. I also had no idea that Oregano had such lovely blooms.

Ida said...

Such a pretty butterfly. I also had no idea that Oregano had such lovely blooms.

betty-NZ said...

Lovely little creatures that you captured!

KarinsArtScrap said...

beautiful flower and butterfly Donna.

greetings karin

Cynthia said...

Donna such beautiful pictures and a gorgeous butterfly.

Cynthia

Rosemary said...

What a pleasure to have butterflies grace ones garden.

Anonymous said...

Donna,

Love your Painted Lady butterflies and the oregano. I have lots of it and the bees and butterflies swarm over all of the flowers. Still, I have never been stung. Love your quote about fall being a second spring. So true. Hoping that you have a great week.

Yael from Home Garden Diggers

Anonymous said...

Donna,

Love your Painted Lady butterflies and the oregano. I have lots of it and the bees and butterflies swarm over all of the flowers. Still, I have never been stung. Love your quote about fall being a second spring. So true. Hoping that you have a great week.

Yael from Home Garden Diggers

sharonssunlitmemories said...

Beautiful butterflies Donna - I've had lovely butterflies in my garden too this year. I can sit and watch them fluttering around the flowers all day!

KER said...

gorgeous photo...you are so talented...both in photography and in gardening to attract those beautiful butterflies

Gemma Wiseman said...

This butterfly is indeed beautiful! Especially love the lighting in the first photo!

Athena at Minervas Garden said...

Beautiful Painted Lady shots, Donna--you were very patient to get those! I love the final photo as well--a beautiful one of the oregano flowers. The bees are always busy at the oregano in my garden, too!

Light and Voices said...

Clap. Clapping. Still clapping. Your photograph of the blooms you took inside is breathtaking.
Joyce M

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Well who would know that oregano could look like THAT! That picture took my breath away...it looks like a painting!

AntiquityTravelers said...

what lovely pictures! thanks for joining the thurs favorites blog hop today

Eileen said...

Just beautiful! I love your work.

Handy Andy said...

Sweet to have oregano bringing us all this beauty. Mine has several butterflies that circle and weave and flit. Such a delicate dance.

joanne said...

very lovely pics....thanx for sharing them....

Anonymous said...

Very lovely butterfly pictures!
Not easy to photograph, great shots.


Katherines Corner said...

beautiful. I have a real love of butterflies. They have always been around when good things happen. Thank you for sharing the information on your photo editing I wish I knew how to do all of that ( not sure what most of it is, giggle) thank you for sharing at the hop my fiend. XO

Lisa Gordon said...

Such beautiful light in the first photograph, and I never realized oregano was so lovely.
I wish you a wonderful weekend!

Unknown said...

Beautiful work, I love the last picture.

Unknown said...

So gorgeous, I'm so fond of butterflies so they are like jewels in the garden and on flowers.
Marit.

Modern Mom said...

Gorgeous images.

Orange Blossom

Liz said...

Beautiful shots.

Canna Lily

Lissa Forbes said...

I love how your Origanum in the bottle look like intertwined heart vines! Lovely. and butterflies always catch my attention too. ;->

Beth said...

Lovely photos, Donna! I always enjoy seeing butterflies in the garden - it's not always easy to get a good shot of them though.

LeAnne said...

So beautiful Donna! Thanks so much for sharing with Flower Art Friday!!

Fishtail Cottage said...

starting to feel a little sad that summer is coming to an end! your post with the blooms and butterfly is so perfect to represent the heat of the summertime. thank you for sharing over here at this weeks garden party! xoox, tracie

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Donna, what gorgeous photos. Thanks for sharing the name of the butterfly. The Oregano picture is awesome! Thanks for sharing with Share Your cup.
Hugs,
Jann

Kathy said...

Hello Donna, butterflies are so wonderful, they always make me pause and forget what I was originally doing - love seeing them in the garden - this one is beautiful. I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy