Giant Butterfly Find…

This week I’m deep in the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois where my sister and are traversing many of the trails that meander through sandstone rock formations and thick forests. We were the only people one afternoon at Panther’s Den, a park designated trail that goes from parking lot downhill through the woods to a dry river bed. Along the way  spotted a giant black swallowtail butterfly. Took a few shots, noticing that the butterfly was quite still. In fact, it flew to the ground by my feet as if it wanted to follow me.

I chose a photo that dramatizes the size of the butterfly’s wings. In future posts I’ll share some other big surprises that we encountered that day. Taken together I left with the impression that this is an enchanted place.