Photo of a red admiral butterfly on a budlia. The narcotic for bees and butterflies.

[Kkimm]

I was sitting having lunch by a beautiful river with an aunt and uncle yesterday and the scene could not have been more perfect. The river was clear and sparkling and there were trout swimming through the wavering green weeds flowing out like mermaids hair. There was a🦆doing the rounds of the tables giving a short polite quack at each table to see if the diners had anything on offer.

The tables were on a wooden verandah overlooking the water and budlias were surrounding the edges of the verandah which were alive with red admirals and painted lady butterflies. Something I had learnt about butterflies and budlias came into my head. PI didn't say it because I knew my guests would not be particularly interested. My uncle had already dumfounded me by asking the question, "Why is that duck here?" I was not sure if he wanted me to ask the duck a deep philosophical question or was making a complaint !!

Anyway, Budlias are often called the butterfly bush because they attract butterflies who cannot get enough of their nectar which is particularly potent and attractive for them. However it can cause a problem because it is so attractive they can become hooked on it to the exclusion of all other plants. They will ignore everything else and just be constantly drawn to budlia. Bees have the same issue and will not pollinate anything else if there is a budlia in the area.

I looked around my fellow diners with their chilled glasses of wine wine and beer in their hands, one of our human answers to budlia, I thought smugly. Then I looked down at my table to see my wonderful glass of red wine and thought mmm, would I be enjoying this experience quite so much without it? My aunt was talking about how dreadful her builders were, but it would all be worth it because her lounge was being knocked through into her dining room to make a delightful open plan space, and thought no, probably not......

[peacefulandcalm Encourager]

hi Kkimm, beautiful, made me want to move to green and a lake so badly....

sounds wonderful, made me smile about the duck, love reading about ducks and water and the butterflies and your story, good you did that....sounds lovely

I would like to get narcotic pain relief out of a flower.....

<3

[Kkimm in reply to peacefulandcalm]

Thanks for your great reply, yes I always enjoy seeing or hearing about or from ducks. They are such great comedians.

Best wishes.

Kim

[All_alone]

Kim, such a beautifully written post. I didn't realize that budlias were that intoxicating to bees and butterflies. I find their fragrance quite intoxicating as well!!!

[Kkimm in reply to All_alone]

Thanks so much for your lovely reply, it means alot to me.

Kim

[Shy_Guy]

Painted a wonderful scene and love the photo. Who cares if you would not enjoy it as much. Enjoying is ok in my book.