What happens when I remember to bring my camera

Nearly every time I take Della for a walk, I end up wishing I had brought the camera with us.  Miraculously I remembered today, and I am so glad I did!

We live in a beautiful, old neighborhood full of "character": broken sidewalks, bushes that extend well past the boundaries of the cement paths, and plenty of wrought-iron or fading white picket fences.  I love it though and am so thankful for all of these quirks.

Shortly after snapping that photo, we nearly collided with a bright yellow bird butterfly. When I finally realized what was going on, it was clear that whatever plant we were standing next to was a haven for sunny butterflies the size of my palm--and I have a big palm!

Let me tell you that butterflies are a pain to photograph.  I have a fairly nice DSLR, but it does have a fixed lense, so I was at the mercy of their whims and my camera's sometimes adequate aperture function.

I would have loved this one had it been at a less severe angle.

I nearly deleted this as I was going through the photos initially, but I really like the fluid motion. I can almost feel the butterfly taking flight (does that sound weird to you? Sorry!)

And yes.  Camera, you came through for me.  I really like this one and am sure glad because right after taking it, Della started fussing to get on with the walk, and my camera beeped that it was too full to go on any longer.

I think butterflies are truly spectacular.  Think of their humble beginnings: a caterpillar that looks like not much more than a very plump worm.  But then they are transformed into something entirely new and absolutely stunning.  It's kind of like this:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old is gone, and the new is here!" I love this passage, and am reminded of the fact I am now a new creation, a much different person than I was before I knew the deep, reconciling love of God.