My very first butterfly!

Today was a big milestone for me.

Since moving to this small suburban lot in late 2024 (north-central Alabama, zone 8a), I’ve worked countless hours removing invasives and adding tonnnnnns of cool natives.

I have seen a few butterflies pass through my yard: swallowtails, skippers, cloudless sulfurs, and even a monarch last week, but never any true visitors.

Today a silver-spotted skipper landed on my moss phlox and stayed around for a long while!! This is the first time a butterfly has actually USED my garden. I’m so flattered. 🥰 I sat next to the little guy and just enjoyed the moment for as long as it let me.

I realized I should try to document the moment, so I took out my phone to snap a pic. It got spooked and darted away (as they do), but I accidentally snapped this really crisp photo just in time!! I’ll remember this moment for a long time.