アサギマダラの来訪

小さな庭のフジバカマに初めてアサギマダラが来訪しました。このフジバカマは、今月初めに亡くなった知人から3年ほど前に譲り受けたものです。花と蝶をこよなく愛したその方が、チョウの形を借りて最後のお別れに来たように感じて、感慨深いものがありました。

This is the first visit of the Asagimadara butterfly*,or chestnut tiger (Parantica sita) to the Fuji-bakamama, or fragrant eupatorium (Eupatorium japonicum) in my small garden. This flower fujibakama was given to me about three years ago by a friend of mine who passed away earlier this month. I felt deeply moved, as if she who loved flowers and butterflies so much had come to bid me a final farewell in the form of a butterfly.

*Asagimadara butterfly is the counterpart of North American monarch butterfly that is known for its seasonal migration.

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Photo 2021-10-29