Life Is Sweet: Buckeye on Lantana

I met two friends at the Arboretum on this morning before work for a little photo shoot. We hung out at the lily pond and admired the lotus seed pods. We walked along the Sundial and photographed many, many active bumblebees. I can't wait to show you some of those soon, for the area that held the grand tulip display in springtime is now host to all sizes and colors of sunflowers! They are just starting to open now, and I expect the show to peak in a few weeks.

At the end of the display, near the big trellis that is covered in morning glories, is a patch of lantana. And boy, did the butterflies love that stuff! I saw quite a few orange butterflies, mostly painted ladies, I think. Then I spotted several smaller ones, common buckeyes. They were adoring the flowers and having a very fine breakfast indeed. So here is what may be my best ever buckeye shot. Oh yes, on a fine summer morning, among the flowers and the butterflies, life is sweet!

The soundtrack is Natalie Merchant, with Life Is Sweet.