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Thursday, October 23, 2008

A Little Bit Of Orange

October is traditionally the month people everywhere begin to experience autumn. Temperatures turn cooler. Leaves begin to change colors. The world seems brighter and fresher. There's Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner - holidays, friends, families, gifts, good food.

Here in Florida we dream of the same things, but we approach them a little differently because for the most part we don't have the traditional autumn. Any true Floridian knows how the air feels "different" when you get to the end of October. Our idea of a fall temperature is 73 (F) for a high and 59 for a low. (Trust me. When your summer temperatures are 95 (F) or higher with a humidity of 90%, then 73 feels pretty good!) Our fall color isn't usually leaves, but flowers, and we sigh realizing the grass has finally quit growing.

And then there's the decorations...

Floridians make up for their lack of autumn color by redecorating the front stoop. Out come all the plastic and silk autumn flower wreaths saved from last year and the years before that. The truly creative Floridian will buy an actual pumpkin from a church pumpkin lot or a potted mum from the grocery store. Outwardly nothing has really changed. The oak trees are still green. The sky is still blue. But there is now that little bit of orange to make it "feel" like autumn.

So I went out this year to find my spot of orange, and in my quest I came across a butterfly. Butterflies are plentiful here. Certain species can be seen year round. If you plant the right flowers, you can have fluttering wings of a multitude of colors right in your garden. But the butterfly I found this day was orange.

Phaon Crescent Butterfly

Phaon Crescent Butterfly


It was no matter to me that it was only about 2 inches across, that it was in the green grass, underneath a blue, sunny sky. It was orange, and I am now satisfied. Winter can come with it's 50 degree temperatures because I will just bundle up in my sweater and smile. Autumn came for me in the form of a small orange butterfly.

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post signature

Suzanne Williams Photography
Florida, USA

Suzanne Williams is a native Floridian, wife, and mother, with a penchant for spelling anything, who happens to love photography.


20 comments:

Tracy Ruckman said...

I love this post! I saw about a DOZEN or more of these butterflies yesterday in our field on my way to the mailbox. They were everywhere!

It's been cold here the last few days - one night it got to 40, so now I'm ready for spring! :-) It's currently 52 and I'm freezing!

Unknown said...

I'd be freezing at 52 too! lol

Jingle said...

This is a beautiful photograph! I love the detail of the grass in the background!

Cynthia said...

I have to agree about autumn. Here is south Texas we approach autumn as you all from Florida do.

Sunny said...

Interesting how seasons colors are different across the country. I love the changing colors!

cheryl c said...

Beautiful picture! I love the intricate details in butterfly wings.

Lori said...

It's funny, we have this same problem where I am in California. My daughter just released this same kind of butterfly (I think) and it's supposed to be able to fly thousands of miles. Maybe we're sharing? It's a beautiful picture and I am sharing the possibility with my daughter.
lkziegler[at]gmail.com

Lori said...

I don't know if my comment was submitted.

I love your creative orange usage since we have the same problem here in California and my daughter just released the same kind of butterflies I think. It would be amazing if we were sharing!

Kristan said...

thanks for your musings on warm falls, and the beautiful photo. i was enjoying 70s, now we had 40s today and i'm beside myself - need to get outside with my girls so we don't go insane, but the little dears freeze.
andrewandkristan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Tyna said...

My fav color is orange. That being said, that butterfly looks more yellow to me. Might just be the lighting...

Mia said...

i wish autumn would come for me like this! I never see butterflies that beautiful!

Unknown said...

How lucky of you! I don't see many butterflies here in Houston only in the Museum of Natural Science haha they have this one section in the museum full of butterflies it is gorgeous!! I love butterflies I wish I could see them all over the place but I don't really see them often enough :( I also wish they lived longer makes me sad for the poor butterflies

Richelle said...

I love the colors of fall, too. Luckily here in VA we have the beautiful trees.

ikkinlala said...

That's a beautiful picture!

I'm in Canada, and far enough north that autumn often arrives in September here. I'm just hoping it doesn't snow (and stick - we had flakes a few weeks ago) before Halloween.

Karen D said...

Beautiful butterfly! The local elementary school has a butterfly garden so we sometimes get them in our yard too - I love watching them....

Anonymous said...

I wish it only got that cold here. I HATE being cold. Loved the post and the orange butterfly. :)

adashofsassitude(at)gmail.com

cl said...

This is my first fall in Florida (and wouldn't you know, a record low 33F last night!). I've been seeing a lot of these butterflies and they are beautiful.

Shooting Stars Mag said...

AW, that's awesome. it's great you can still find your autumn somewhere. i couldn't live in florida though....too hot for me! i like my autumn.

-lauren

lauren51990 at aol dot com

Pamk said...

man what kind of camera do you have. That butterfly pic is great.

Jinxy and Me said...

That's an amazing photo. The detail and clarity are great. My seasons up here in Minnesota are nothing like yours!