I hope this Saturday finds everyone healthy and happy. For myself I have been fighting off allergies, due to extra windy weather. Things seem to be settling down, so I am hoping to get outdoors today and do some gardening.

I always struggle to decide which photograph to start with, and from there the flow of photos and words. I usually start by picking out photos I want to use and narrow down to a manageable number. I then may crop a few using a free photo editor called PhotoScape I only crop the photo to center or to get rid of some thing that takes away from the photo. The words just come to me as I start to type.

My first photograph to today is a macro-photo of a _Dianthis_ that we planted last year. Many _Dianthis_ are perennials even with our cold winters. They come in other colors besides this bright pink. ![IMG_2313.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWaAVafLYMxt8S3DNt15wXszGBdKJFDde3hVWdQBcpMVa/IMG_2313.JPG) This next one I took when we were visiting Manito gardens a couple of weeks ago. I am not sure of the name. ![IMG_2539-b.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmPKSNktenReVsHRmHRiewdWSfNEsbJZBESQ266bXJa5Un/IMG_2539-b.JPG) Here is a **Japanese Maplee** that was growing in the _Japanese Gardens_ at Manito Gardens. ![IMG_2606-Crop.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXwK9QDgQrpfJv5sheqJJ9pnCaYffocL9kYe7Jyq6W5x7/IMG_2606-Crop.JPG)

This next scenic shot was taken when we went on vacation last week. The field was full of wildflowers. This was on the _Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation_. I was stopping to take photographs when we got a call and had to head straight home. Next trip I will get more scenic photographs.

![IMG_2837.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQma4cAms7yNE6G65uZZRJ6L82R5EHs1M2ecQBSjWwe7jn5/IMG_2837.JPG) Here is one of our own patches of **Shasta Daisies**: ![IMG_2914-b.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUxWtgrq227eciRnWSsrPNQSeVk3pNg5wRT6yY13SZyVJ/IMG_2914-b.JPG)

This next flower is a Calendula, which is related to Marigolds. I usually plant quite a few, but this year I am relying on those that self seeded. I have used them to make salves, but they also add wonderful color to a salad (I usually pull the petals off and sprinkle on top of my salad.

![IMG_2904.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQYW1GgsorXdM2g1joPDnoUSvKzHmRfXXFV4yVGtupD11/IMG_2904.JPG)

I have been trying for a long time to get some Macro-photograph of butterflies, although they never seem to want to "pose" for me. I finally was able to get a few pictures and today want to share one of our prettiest butterflies. This is a Swallowtail, and I believe it is a Two-tailed Swallowtail.

![IMG_2979.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUaZCPp3EpG2rVieshcyyDjTyozLM4znJw7AtECMkQ5TC/IMG_2979.JPG)

alayssa-mehjabin