#BelmontNC – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

2026 Whatsoever is Lovely: Beautiful Flowers & Butterflies #3

XingfuMama hosts the weekly challenge Whatsoever Is Lovely. The challenge is simple. Just reflect back over your week and see what is lovely, whether a thing or a moment, share in a post what is precious and lovely to you.

This week I am continuing with Whatsoever is Lovely to me; Beautiful Flowers & Butterflies #3. These images were taken on Coleman’s & my recent visit to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. The first area we visited was the Butterfly Bungalow. We had not previously visited the Butterfly Bungalowsince the times we’ve visited Daniel Stowe Conservancy before were in the Springtime.

For this post I am focusing on the Giant Swallowtail (Polygonia comma). The Giant Swallowtail is the largest butterfly located in North America. It is known for its black wings with striking yellow stripes and its large wingspan. The Giant Swallowtails can have a massive wingspan of up to six (6) inches long.

Interestingly, their abdomen and outer wings are a light yellow shade with red and blue markings along the bottom of their wings while they have black and yellow stripes directly above their heads.

These Giant Swallowtails (Polygonia comma) are also referred to as Eastern Comma. They can typically be seen in shaded areas or near bodies of water. The Eastern Comma feed on sap, rotting fruit, dung, salt and minerals. They are a confident , aggressive, and social butterfly.

***#Whatsoever Is Lovely – 2026 Week 29***
***Giant Swallowtails (Polygonia comma)***
***aka Eastern Comma***

These Giant Swallowtails are feasting on Pycnanthemum incanum, aka Hoary Mountain Mint. The Mountain Mint is a hardy, aromatic perennial in the mint family which is native to eastern North America. It is known for its silvery-white foliage with clusters of small white to lavender flowers that bloom during the summertime. It is an excellent magnifier pollinators like bees, butterflies, and wasps. (I prefer watching the butterflies to bees or wasps.)

These pictured here are maintained in the controlled environment of the Butterfly Bungalow inside the Gardens of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina.

Click on images to enlarge.

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 29

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Location: Butterfly Bungalow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Bely, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a lovely weekend filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Macro Monday – 2026 July 27

Rudbeckia hirta

Click on image to enlarge.

Macro Monday (MM)

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take time to enjoy nature. Admire the beautiful flowers and plants. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window – 2026 July 20

Kitty by a Window –
2 – AI creation by PR

Castle Windows

When you think of Castle Windows you probably think of ancient and/or historical castles, however, these windows are in a Castle Playground at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. The Castle Playground is a fairly new playground inside the botanical gardens for children to climb, explore, and basically have an all out Funtime while at the Stowe.

***Monday Window***
***Castle Playground***
***Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden***

On the day Coleman and I were at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden it was extremely hot and humid and we only saw one other child at the playground. Being so hot Coleman only had a short time to play before we moved on to the Tunnel Fountain for him to enjoy some water time.

The gallery of images above show the Castle Windows. The ones gallery below shows what Coleman is looking out the Window at and holding. For an active boy he was skeptical and yet excited to swing out the Window and repel down to the ground.

Coleman
Castle Playground Window
Monday Window

Click on images to enlarge.

Monday Window-2026.07.20

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Castle Playground; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Cool. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Macro Monday Portrait – 2026 July 20

Monarch

Monarch Butterflies are one of the most familiar and recognized species of butterflies of North America butterflies. The Danaus plexippus, which are widely known as Butterflies Monarch or Monarch Butterfly, are famous for their 3,000 mile annual migration.

North and South Carolina serve as a crucial geographical corridor for the Eastern migratory population. Monarchs are a welcome sight in the Carolinas and a sign of seasonal change. The Monarchs pass through the Carolinas twice a year. Once in the Spring and again in the Fall.

When we see them arriving in the beginning of Spring (late March and April) they are migrating northward. The first generation Monarchs stop to lay eggs on emerging native milkweed. The second generation continues the migration journey all the way into Canada. In the Fall (Autumn)the “Methuselah generation” (aka the “super generation”), the Monarchs born at the end of summer, fly southward towards Mexico from September through mid-October.

This Monarch and ones shown in other posts are maintained in a controlled environment in the Butterfly Bungalow at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. To see more Monarch Butterflies check out my Whatsoever is Lovely post by clicking here.

Click on image to enlarge.

Macro Monday (MM)

Monday Portrait-2026.07.20

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Butterfly Bungalow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

2026 Whatsoever is Lovely: Beautiful Flowers & Butterflies #2

XingfuMama hosts the weekly challenge Whatsoever Is Lovely. The challenge is simple. Just reflect back over your week and see what is lovely, whether a thing or a moment, share in a post what is precious and lovely to you.

This week I am continuing with Whatsoever is Lovely to me; Beautiful Flowers & Butterflies #2. These images were taken on Coleman’s & my recent visit to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. The first area we visited was the Butterfly Bungalow. We had not previously visited the Butterfly Bungalow since the times we’ve visited Daniel Stowe Conservancy before were in the Springtime.

The best time of the year to visit the Butterfly Bungalow is during the Summer. Why do you think Summer is the best time to visit. Let me tell you. It is the best and only season to visit the Butterfly Bungalow due to the fact that it is a seasonal attraction that only operates from late May through early September, the warmest months of the year.

For this post I am focusing on the Monarch Butterfly. The Monarch Butterflies eagerly feast on Buddleja davidii (Butterfly Bush) because it functions as an elite nectar source. The nectar of Buddleja davidii is rich in sucrose, glucose, and fructose which offers a dense spike of immediate energy. The blooms of Buddleja davidii emit a powerful sweet, honey-like aroma that attracts Monarchs from a distance.

Below are Monarch Butterfly photos I took on our visit …

Monarch Butterfly on Summer Lilac aka Buddleja davidii (Butterfly Bush)
Buddleja davidii (Butterfly Bush)

These pictured here are maintained in the controlled environment of the Butterfly Bungalow inside the Gardens of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina.

Click on images to enlarge.

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 28

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Location: Butterfly Bungalow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Bely, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a lovely weekend filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

“Coleman’s favorite refreshing garden fountain splash!”

SIX WORD SATURDAY
The Fountain
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Belmont, NC

This fountain at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden looks so refreshing! It is located near the entrance to the Lost Hollow: The Kimbrell Family Children’s Garden. Coleman is having fun playing nearby.

The fountain spray is a powerful, tall column of white, frothy water shooting dramatically upwards. It crests at a significant height before cascading back down, creating a lively splash and ripples in the water below. have loved playing nearby.

Click on images to enlarge.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.07.18

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment

Location: Fountain near Lost Hollow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Cool. Stay Hydrated. Spread joy and happiness all around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Pull Up a Seat Week #29 — In a Botanical Garden #2

Welcome! This week I’m continuing with sharing various benches and chairs at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. It is still extremely hot and humid here in our region of North Carolina. Here are a few more benches and chairs that are scattered here and there around the Gardens.

Here are my entries for this week …

***#PullUpaSeat***
***#DanielStoweConservancy***
***Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden***

Click on images to enlarge.

XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 29

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Cool. Stay Adventurous. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way in Black and White On Asphalt Roads or Paved Pathways [07.17.2026]

CBWC/CWWC
Cee’s Black & White Challenge
Cee’s Which Way Challenge

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme is Any Which Way in Black and White On Asphalt Roads or Paved Pathways. In choosing the Black and White theme for this week’s Which Way Challenge I am honouring the memory of Cee’s Black and White Challenge. The Which Way can be any paved pathway, sidewalk, paved trail, or paved road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.

For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

Here are my entries …

Cee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)
Cee’s Black and White Challenge (CBWC) Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)
***Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden***

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.

For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Into The Black

Suzette’s For Deb’s CWWC Any Which Way With The Colors Black or Brown

Marina’s Sidewalk with Black

Dan’s Nothing Special Saturday — SoCS

Cath’s Which Way… {Black Angus Cows}

Marilyn’s Brown & Black inThe Which Way

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)

Cee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

*** Note: Next Week we will be exploring and sharing the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice) [07.24.2026]

Sunday Stills 2026 July 13th:

Groups of Three (3) or More

in the Gardens of

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Good Day everyone! This week Terri with Second Wind Leisure Perspectives has given us the prompt of Groups of Three (3) or More. I have selected Groups of Three or More in The Gardens at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Having selected floral Groups of Three (3) or More I am linking this post with Terri’s The #Flower Hour.

Click on rack image to enlarge.

Terri’s Sunday Stills-Groups of 3 or More

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #39

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm and Altura UV Filter Attachment.

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Admire the beautiful Flowers. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Macro Monday – 2026 July 13

Crassula pyramidalis

Succulents in the Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Macro Monday (MM)

Terri’s The Flower Hour

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

Silent Sunday: 2026 July 12

Hemerocallis ‘Autumn Minaret’
Aka Autumn Minaret Daylily

Silent Sunday-2026.07.12

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take time to enjoy the flowers. Get Outdoors and commune with nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

One Word Sunday (#OWS) —2026 July 12 — Bicoloured

Debbie with Travel with Intent has selected the word Bicoloured for this week’s One Word Sunday theme. When I first saw the term Bicoloured, I thought of duotoned images not two distinct colours or shades. Hence the last images has both Bicoloured and Duotoned.

Floral Examples …

One …

Two …

Pink and White Phalaenopsis
Aka Moth Orchids

Duotoned vs. Bicoloured …

One Word Sunday (OWS)
Light blue and brown duotone colorization of the **Prairie Castle Playground’s Net Tunnel.**

Natural light brown and Black are the colours of the Net Tunnel which is made from thick sturdy rope as part of the **Prairie Castle Playground** inside **Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.**

Click on images to enlarge.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday (#OWS)-Bicoloured

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Cameras: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; 3-4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Admire the Flowers. Be observant of the amazingly beautiful colours found in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 CosPhoChal: Close Up with Butterflies

Dale, the host of the Cosmic Photo Challenge, has challenged us to post a few close-up shots for this week’s challenge. Coleman and I had just recently visited the Butterfly Bungalow watching the butterflies fluttering to and fro from flower to flower feasting on nectar and/or pollen till their hearts content. Therefore, I thought it might be worth it to share a few close-ups with you.

First, in the image above we are viewing two Eastern Giant Swallowtails enjoying the tasty delight in the butterfly feeder.

Next, let’s take a closer look at the Butterfly feeder. Not only are the Swallowtails having a delicious feast of the sugar water solution mixed with fruit to provide them with energy, but severe black ants are joining in to sample it as well.

And finally for a close-up view of the Eastern Giant Swallowtails themselves. Observe the delicate line, pattern, and color details in the design of the Swallowtails wings. Notice their distinctive appearance with their prominent antennae that are dark, slender, and distinctively club-tipped. Its legs are also slender, dark, and segmented allowing it to grip the edge of the feeder.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Cosmic Photo Challenge (#CosPhoChal)-Close-Up

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Butterfly Bungalow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Be observant of all creatures large and small that call our Earth home. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 July 12

This young fellow here was in a clear enclosed container held by one of the volunteers inside the Butterfly Bungalow at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (Daniel Stowe Conservancy). She said he was playing dead, but very much alive.

Click on each image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.07.12

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Butterfly Bungalow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Thursday Doors: July 09

Doors in the Stowe

FOWC — Harebrained

Who’s Harebrained idea was it to come here? It is blazing hot in this extreme heat. Why would anyone think a Harebrained idea like this was alright to leave an air conditioned building to walk around sweating would be fun?

Yesterday’s temperature was 90°F with a heat index of 98°F. Not the recommended temps for walking or hiking outdoors. I asked earlier who had the Harebrained idea to go spend time outside in this heatwave. Where did we go?

Coleman and I were sick and tired or being cooped up indoors. We had been avoiding going out into the extreme hot weather we’ve been experiencing. A person go only take so much of being trapped indoors before anxiety attacks. My daughter (having a day off) suggested Coleman and I go out and visit the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. So that’s who suggested the Harebrained idea of leaving air conditioning and visiting the Stowe Gardens.

This are the entrance doors to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden …

***Entrance Doors***
***to the***
***Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden***
***Belmont, NC***

Click on images to enlarge.

Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.07.09

Fandango’s One Word Challenge (FOWC)-Harebrained

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic rest of your week and weekend ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with w. I appreciate y’all very much.

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Rudbeckia hirta

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Castle Windows

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Monarch

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Groups of Three (3) or More

in the Gardens of

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

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Crassula pyramidalis

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Doors in the Stowe

FOWC — Harebrained

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