Bachelors Blue

Wow...the color on this bachelor's button just sort of knocked my socks off this morning. Somehow, it's both invigorating and calming all at the same time, and look how it plays so nicely with the yellow coreopsis and the orange marigolds!

Every summer, there's this moment where I feel I've lost a little control of the garden, like that's anything more than an illusion. Usually it's as it was this week: with rain a semi-regular occurrence, there was less need to water, which usually involves a nice close examination of things. Being July, there's also usually something else going on to distract me and well, there was a little of that this past week, too.

I have discovered now that the morning glories have completely escaped any illusion I had of being in charge and are now running wild. Really, considering we're talking about morning glories, it's not that much of a bad thing. But it does appear that there'll be less of the whole thing of flags flapping in breezes if they have their way.

I spotted this moth chilling on a nice big sunflower leaf in the sun this morning. I don't know the species, but I'll send a copy to BugGuide.net and see if anyone there can identify it for me. I'll edit here later with anything I learn.

[EDIT: 7/27/08: Seems this is actually a butterfly, possibly of the sulphur variety. They are distinguished from moths, apparently, by the clubs at the ends of their antennae. Who knew?]

[An additional update: the good folks at Bugguide.net have enlightened me further. This is a Small White butterfly--I know, it sounds so simple--couldn't I have guessed that?! But that's its actual common name, also known as the small cabbage butterfly. It's official name is Pieris rapae, and you can learn more about them here.]

Down below, in front of that sunflower, the harebell has wasted not a day more since being discovered yesterday to begin the inflation of its delicate blue flowers.

I hadn't recognized this plant at first. I only grew them from seed just last season before the move, so I hadn't really had much time to get to know them very well before having to start making Sophie's choices about who would be coming along and who'd stay behind.

To be honest, I can't recall if it was a conscious decision. I know there's a columbine seedling down there nearby. I wonder if some of the seeds were just in the soil and have taken advantage of the sunny location.

Here's what the moon looked like when it rose very late last night...technically early this morning.

I really had no business being up to see it, but since I was, I didn't hesitate to snap a photo or two to share with you all. I won't be waiting to see it again tonight. It's my suspicion that I could really use some extra Z's.

Hope you all had a great Saturday and that you enjoyed some low humidity sunshine like we did here.