tethered butterflies

some photographers chase the light. here in the north, we chase the frost. first frost here in minnesota usually occurs some time between october 1 and october 10, that means we are probably only one week from first frost. i usually don’t forage my subjects from private land…but with frost only a week away, i feel less sheepish about it as any remaiing blooms will be nipped by the cold, if not by me. these pink hydrangea surround the senior living complex down the street from me. i pass it every time i go to the grocery store. i have been watching these florets turn a deepening shade of pink all summer. it was tempting to gather them a few weeks ago when they were still blushing pink. but i am glad i waited. my husband, steve, calls this style of panicle hydrangea “tethered butterfly” hydrangeas. he really ought to be a copy writer.

pink panicle hydrangea (hortensia)