Tuesday, July 29, 2008

ABC Wednesday: "B"


B for Butterfly. I wonder why they call it a "butter" fly? Anyways, not really important. I found this little guy up at the cottage on Lake Erie. He was being difficult and wouldn't show me his wing spread, so I captured him attempting to blend in with the tree branch.

**edit: Petrus said, "The origin of the word is Old English and could either refer to the colour of the common species - yellow or cream or refer to the belief that the insect stole butter." Thanks Petrus.**

When I was little I used to love catching butterflies in mason jars. We had a babysitter in Texas that would let us run around her back yard catching butterflies. One day I finally caught one. I was so excited and couldn't wait to raise him as my own. He would be my baby, and I'm sure I named him "bear" or "strawberry shortcake" (cuz that's what everything was named back then). When it was time to go home the babysitter told me I had to leave him at her house, but I could play with him the next day. I'm sure I didn't like that idea one bit, but I was little and had no choice. The next day I came back and there was my jar, sitting on the table, with no butterfly inside. Where did he go? The babysitter concocted some story about how she was trying to feed him and he flew away to go be with his mommy and daddy. I was devastated.

Of course, I am now over it. I know, its hard to believe :) But I still love butterflies. They are so delicate and beautiful.

To see more B photos, stories and poems, head on over to Mrs. Nesbitt's or the new ABC Wednesday site. Go ahead and share with us your B thought or picture too :)
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14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Butterflies are really wonderful creatures to watch. It's great how you caught this one so blended with the tree..

CaBaCuRl said...

Yes, I agree with you...butterflies are wondrous creatures & one of my favourites.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Love butterflies!

Nina at Nature Remains

magiceye said...

Bright and Beautiful!

Pietro Brosio said...

Great picture.
Butterflies are magnificent, but it's so difficult to photograph them.

Bear Naked said...

Wonderful shot.

Bear((( )))

Petrus said...

The origin of the word is Old English and could either refer to the colour of the common species - yellow or cream or refer to the belief that the insect stole butter.

It's always nice to see them flying about - so colourful .....

Rune Eide said...

I don't know about the "butter" in butterfly (in Norwegian they are called the equivalent of "summer-birds"), but maybe they like butter? In any case - lovely photo and story!

gma said...

Lots of butterflies are yellow. Why are they called butterflies?That's an interesting question that deserves some research.

mrsnesbitt said...

Yes, was our house! LOL! I have been chasing cabbage white butterflies away from my flowers!

Petrus said...

OK Kim - you can quote me and add to site

Texas Travelers said...

Great color in the photo.
I loved the story. What a mysterious disappearance. Too bad.

Come visit our Butterflies, Click here.
Troy and Martha

Nessa said...

Your flower series is beautiful. I especially like the first one.

And you know I love butterflies.

Miss_Yves said...

I love your tale;may be it means butterfies must be free!
I wonder the meaning of this word : a fly as soft as butter?
miss Yves