Fall is butterfly season in Austin

Butterflies are active in Austin for most of the year, but fall features a splendid of the fluttering beauties. It's like a second spring.

A queen butterfly, a close relative to monarchs, takes a sip of nectar from Gregg's mistflower in my backyard pollinator garden.

Gregg's mist flower begins to bloom

Gregg's mist flower is such a magical looking plant. Clusters of blue tufts dot a perennial bush that attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

Monarch caterpillars munch

This monarch caterpillar might be preparing for a transformation on a Gregg's mist flower plant.