Butterflies

by Kay Donnelly--

Bobby Darin had a song in the 60’s called Multiplication. I was reminded of this song, as I sat weeding in my garden on Monday and noticed a small blue butterfly hovering about. These butterflies are not plentiful in my garden and I usually see only a few of them all summer, so I take notice when one appears.

Now, of course, because of Cocooning I am practically living in my garden, so I have plenty time to observe nature at work.

I had seen a similar one a few days before but by the time I got my camera, it had disappeared. This time, better prepared, I had my camera in my pocket, I sat very still, waiting for it to land so that I could get a picture of it.

Suddenly a second one appeared and started to hover around as well. This was unusual, so I stopped my weeding to watch their antics. Luckily enough, I was sitting on a low stool that Tom had made for me, to make it easier in bending down to pull the weeds, so I was able to stay perfectly still.

Within seconds they had made contact and that was when I thought of the Bobby Darin song Multiplication:

“Two butterflies,

casting their eyes,

both in the same direction,

you’d never guess,

with one little yes,

you’d have a butterfly collection.”

They settled on an Ivy leaf on the garden wall, got very close together and stayed their for over two hours, never moving, even when I got up close to take a photo.

I have spent many hours in my garden since I got married in 1963, but this was the first time in my life that I have ever seen something like this happen. It gave me great joy to see nature carrying on, regardless of the turmoil all around.

I only hope, that the female will lay her eggs in my garden and that, one day I will wake up and have a butterfly collection.