Prairie Winds Farm

Passiflora caerulea is a host plant for the Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae butterfly. The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is native to Texas and can be found fluttering about in the warm Summer sun feeding on floral nectar in your garden. The Passion flower vine is the specific host plant for the female butterfly, Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae .  It can be found at plant nurseries state wide.  The Passionflower has a beautiful bloom and it is quite astounding in its intricacies.  Many artists have delved into its spectacular characteristics.  This specific passionflower is a favorite of the Gulf Fritillary butterfly.  Healthy offspring, caterpillars (larva) can be reared on this specific vine. The fertilized female Gulf Fritillary butterfly will light upon the tips of new growth or its tendrils to  lay her eggs.  The eggs are cylindrical in shape and are colored a soft orange.  In just about five days the eggs will hatch and an almost minuscule caterpillar will emerg

                 I am grateful to rest under the protective wings of my almighty father.                          No one can steal my joy and the evil one has no power under them. Bauhinia mexicana, host plant of the  Blue Aguna Skipper  butterfly  native to Mexico. The beginning and the end.

Some time ago we went to my precious niece's wedding in Arizona then took a trip  to the Grand Canyon.   I thought I would share some info with you in case you ever want to consider visiting the South Rim in Feb.  I only have info. here about the South Rim.  Our trip was in Winter and the roads in the canyon were open to vehicles.    The look out points are only accessible by shuttle starting on March 1st. You can literally walk out of your hotel take a shuttle to the shuttle stop and visit the specific look out points on the South Rim.  We stayed at the Eltovar hotel in the Grand Canyon Village.  The reservations during peak seasons are usually booked 8-12 months in advance.  We had no problem getting a room in Feb. although, we did book in Oct.   The restaurant requires reservations during peak season,  we did not need any in Feb. Turns out, access to the roads leading to the overview sites for photography and viewing are closed to vehicles starting March first. Our

An Angel Wing Begonias pastel blooms glisten in the sunlight. The Rainforest is full of beautiful, well tended to tropical plants in full bloom. Be sure to bring your camera. The Owl butterfly is native to Central and South America.  This one is feeding on the sugars of rotted fruit.  This large butterfly has swift wing movement much like that of a bat. Heliconius hecale butterfly resting upon leaf.  This butterfly is a Heliconius longwing. The fertilized female lays her eggs  upon the tendrils and  newly sprouted leaf tips of the tropical Passionflower vines. They have soft, delicate flight patterns. Yellow blooms invite pollinators to visit.   The conservatory has many blooming plants. Butterflies are attracted to brightly colored flowers. Gorgeous pastel blooms surround you as you walk down the  beautiful pathways enjoying the butterflies in flight.  It is awesome to view Gods natural beauty even in a manmade environment. Handsome b