A Swallowtail butterfly gathers nectar from bee balm flowers in northern Durham County. Bee balm (Monarda) flowers are brilliant additions to late-summer herb gardens and flower borders. Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other nectar-seeking creatures covet the tubular flowers on the plant's rounded flower heads, and the leaves and flowers can also be made into tea. Other common names include horsemint, wild bergamot, and Oswego tea. The genus was named for Nicol?s Monardes who wrote a book in 1574 describing plants found in the New World.

A caterpillar that is the larva of the Black Swallowtail butterfly rests and munches on the stem of a fennel plant in a garden in northern Durham County.

@ *scape

I bought a lovely bunch of chard at the farmer's market (along with the scapes) and had plenty of milk so I gave this recipe a try. I think I could have used more seasoning, but it was good.

Valletta from Marsamxetto Harbour

water flow

24.07.2011 Spain / Mallorca / Torre del Verger

et. al, maintenance of social solidarity - instance 5, 2006, photo Dean Mackenzie Photography

stitched a few pics together to capture the area we're working in at the moment

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Scape

Kazakhstan_Aktau - Aktobe

a walled house

Iguazu Falls, Brazilian side near the Devil's throat.

(Home, 2011)