suggs creek: paradise in a ditch

i took these pictures down in a ditch on the side of the road.  actually, it was a little creek with a really, really big culvert.  actually, it was paradise except for the roadside trash.  i'll abstain from a rant, but only barely.  but seriously.  is noting sacred from our apparent apathy?  anyway.  i really need to wear rubber boots next time.  i kept hearing a really big frog, but wasn't about to wade through the muck in my chucks.  also, i probably should wear pants next time.  ouch!  i'll tell you about that later.  but now.  now let's get to the beautiful part.  oh my.  this is my happy place.  nature's canvas is incomparable.  and i wonder what these things are.  i saw them and knew i had missed something glorious and knew i had something to look forward to finding next year.

the butterflies . . .

the flowers . . .

there are four tiny beauties in this one.

stunning.  and look at that nose!

the bees drew me to these blossoms.  they were on vines growing up into these little trees.

"more than anything, i must have flowers always, always . . . " - claude monet

i was especially tickled to see this one.  i had seen one on a hike last fall, but it only had one striking red petal left on the whole stalk.  i knew it had to be something special, and it is.  the cardinal flower.

i also loved that i could see so many colors mixed together here.

hello, mr. grasshopper!

enjoy your bath!

you've picked a gorgeous place for it!

my first dragonfly capture in a good long while.  nice having a zoom lens to play with.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh . . . !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

are you kidding me?!  a hummingbird.  i heard it buzz in.  i was giddy.  elated.  entranced.  so very happy.

more butterflies . . .

 more flowers . . .

 i was playing with the telephoto with these.  i think i need to try this again.  it's pretty, but i haven't quite mastered the shot.  i love photography.  there's always something new to learn, something new to see.

monarch!!!

 next year i will meet you in your youth!  :)

joining in with annie and "how does your garden grow?"