The Very Hungry Caterpillar

"He built a small house, called a cocoon around himself.  He stayed inside for more than two weeks.  Then he nibbled a hole in the cocoon, pushed his way out, and he was a beautiful butterfly!"

-Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Catepillar

"Butterfly Kisses", 2012
Rowan County,  NC

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of my very favorite children's stories.  I can remember my mother reading the story to me as a child.  I loved how the caterpillar ate everything he could find throughout the week.  When I was pregnant with my first child, Kendall, I worked in a preschool and The Very Hungry Caterpillar was the favorite book for me to read out loud with the children.  They loved reading along with me.  It was our very special time together.  So of course, when my children were born and were old enough to sit down and read with me - The Hungry Caterpillar was a book of choice.  Still today, this book remains on my youngest child's book shelf and every once in a while I will find myself picking it up and reading it to myself.

I love butterflies - the delicacy of their wings and the beauty of their coloring is phenomenal.  Just to think a furry little caterpillar changes into such a beautiful creature that seem to float through the air is pretty amazing.  During my Saturday afternoon photo trek across Rowan and Davidson County, I pulled into a driveway to turn around and head in another direction.  As I turned my head to check for oncoming traffic, I saw this butterfly flying from flower to flower and enjoying the day.  I had to see if I could capture the beauty of the creature's wings along with the beauty of the wild flowers below.  So, I grabbed my camera on the front seat, left the car running, and jumped out to see what I could capture through the lens.  

As I look at this photo, "Butterfly Kisses", I can't help to shake my head in amazement at God's creation - just look at the beauty in the patterns on the wings of the butterfly amidst the white wildflowers.  The dots and lines are artistic masterpieces within themselves.  I am just pleased that I am able to capture God's creation and know that He is the true artist in this world and I am just his instrument to share his beauty with others.