These 3 butterflies were photographed by blog host in their natural environment.

This close-up of a Monarch butterfly partaking of the nectar of a pink carnation was photographed in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This Swallowtail butterfly was photographed while perched upon a pine tree on the trail to White Pine Lake, Wasatch Mountains, Utah.

This mysterious butterfly was photographed atop a daisy in the Wasatch Mountains. Pop quiz: Can any reader identify this species of butterfly?

The following triad of floral display is a photographic tribute to the classic paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. Photographed by blog host at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, April 2009.

Alternate view #2 of Pink Lotus, Balboa Park, San Diego, Ca.

"Like a freckle-faced Celtic girl reincarnated as a flower" - Citronella-colored Tiger Lilly, Lilium Lancifolium, yellow sub-species Flaviflorum (Macho).

"Now, I see thy glory like a shooting star / Fall to the Oregonian garden from the heavens" (paraphrased from Wm. Shakespeare, Richard II) - Shooting Star (Dodecatheon), part of the Primrose family Primulaceae. Photo taken in backwoods of foggy Oregon forest. Note: Vertical line on bottom is technical fault - ed.

"The Oregonian Hanging Gardens: the 8th Wonder of the World" - Mother Nature's two-toned umbrella, swaying in the breeze near a hidden waterfall: Red Columbine, pacific northwest (Aquilegia Formosa). Photo taken in a remote location, somewhere in the misty forests of Oregon.

"Keep munchin' on my leaf, bug, and you'll be needin' to visit the apothecary shop" - Rare wild purple orchid (species unknown to our blog page), photo taken at Lady Bird Johnson Memorial Grove, N. California circa 1991.

"Surprise Purple Shower" - Glistening Dew Drops formed after an impromptu squall [a sudden and sharp increase in wind speed associated with summer rain showers. - ed.]

"The Yellow Umbrellas of Quail Gardens" - Icelandic Poppy (Papaver Nudicaule) shading the Ladybugs of the rainbow-colored garden. Note: The title references the cinematic classic "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" (1964) starring Catherine Deneuve. - ed.

"A Serene Rose Catches a Soft Breeze in the Lazy Summer Afternoon"- Segue:
"Like the red rose of summer that blooms in the day..." (c) Bob Dylan, "Time Passes Slowly"

"Monet's Floating Triangle" - Pink-fuchsia hybrid of sacred Indian Lotus Nelumbo Nucifera resting atop Victoria water lilies (plant family Nymphaeaceae). Taken at Balboa Park, San Diego, Ca. in vicinity of Botanical Gardens circa 2007.

"Bear Grass etc." - Xerophyllum Tenax looming above Indian Paintbrush and Purple Lupines, amid spring's fresh snow. Mount Rainier, Washington, circa 1991.

"40 Winks to Emerald City"