We went out to do a little hiking to the river overlook at Raven Run this weekend. We made a couple of stops at some of my favorite farms along the way. It was a week late for most of the color, but still a beautiful day for a hike.

God's Country

God's country. noun. 1. an area or region supposed to be favored by God, especially a naturally beautiful rural area.

I can't think of any better way to describe Kentucky in the fall. The hardwoods are starting to show their color and the wildflowers are putting on a show. Goldenrod is everywhere this year giving an extra pop of yellow.

 

I had an unexpected visit from a great blue heron. He made it perfectly clear he wanted nothing to do with me or my camera! 

They were setting up for a wedding near here. Can you imagine the bride's portraits with this as a backdrop? 

Green Anole

I spotted this guy at a Georgia rest stop. He is a green anole, common throughout Georgia and South Carolina.

Black Swallowtails

Our black swallowtail butterflies have started to emerge. We released this one over the weekend and had one emerge during the night. No matter how many times we witness this metamorphosis, it is always exciting seeing the butterflies.

"Love is like a butterfly, it goes where it pleases and it pleases wherever it goes.
Love is like a butterfly, hold it too tight, it'll crush. Hold it too loose, it'll fly."

Butterfly Metamorphosis

While it has not been as productive as last year, this butterfly season has been equally as fascinating. We have enjoyed caring for the eggs and caterpillars provided to us by our neighbor, Betty Hall. We even had a couple of surprises of our own, finding our first caterpillars on the parsley we planted last summer. Still no luck with our spicebush and new milkweed plants. We have had visitors so we are sure it is just a matter of time before we see eggs. 

Our first "home-grown" black swallowtail.

At this stage they are basically eating machines so have lots of parsley on hand! Fortunately it doesn't last long as they slow down to begin their dramatic transformation.

Our Butterfly Factory