A Tiger Swallowtail glides above my backyard creek, held up by yellow wings with coal-black tiger stripes. It heads toward a clethra bush festooned with spikes of nectar-filled pink flowers. It settles and sips. I never tire of watching.

Late summer is butterfly season here in the North Carolina Piedmont. . . .

If you’re interested in butterflies or butterfly gardening, check out my just-published article in Queen City Nerve, “What to Know About Butterfly Gardening in the Carolina Piedmont.” It links to a number of local resources for seeking out butterflies and learning more about them. As always, Butterfly Gardening in the Carolina Piedmont can be read for free on the QC Nerve issuu site.

Happy butterflying!