Happy Valentine's Day!

I was commenting to my daughter yesterday during a phone conversation that I hoped our current blooms would still be showing off a week from now when she gets back home for a break from law school. She is currently in Ann Arbor (or as I think of it - Ann ArBRRRR) where a warm spell has chased away most of their snow to reveal all the winter ugly that was hiding underneath. Easier for driving but not very soothing to the eyes. Our back yard flowers on the other hand, often find me standing around just staring. Especially when the butterflies are busy as they were yesterday.

Just in case these flowering plants would be mostly spent by the time she arrives, I figured to capture some shots in yesterday's late afternoon sunshine, and hey, while I was at it, no reason not to share the love with y'all in the blogosphere as well.

So a day early for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, but appropriate in light of it being Valentine's Day....a few Central Texas blooms and butterflies...

African Cape Daisy with Giant Swallowtail [Papilio cresphontes]

African Cape Daisy with Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe)

Common Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus communis)

Bonne Saint Valentin!