The other day, while looking out of our kitchen window, I spotted a monarch butterfly resting on one of the zinnias in the backyard. These flowers were originally planted to bring colour to the wedding weekend, but now, as summer begins to wind down, some of them continue to bloom, drawing life toward them. Amidst the fading warmth of the season was this butterfly — pausing long enough for me to leave the kitchen, quietly approach it, and capture the moment.

In contrast, the white butterfly (also captured in this video!) often frustrates me in the garden. Their frantic movements are a far cry from the monarch’s calm grace and they target my vegetables, laying eggs that hatch into caterpillars that eat through my plants, threatening my hard-grown veggies.

Butterflies are often seen as symbols of transformation, hope, and the connection between life cycles. Their impressive metamorphosis—from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly — embodies the resilience and renewal we all experience in life. With their short, yet purposeful, lifespans, butterflies remind us to appreciate the fleeting moments around us. In the soft afternoon sun, this visitor paused, before lifting off again — continuing on its quiet journey.

From beneath the canopy,

🌻 Issy

P.S. I’ve heard tennis racquets work well on white butterflies… any other tips to keep them away!?! 😅