Beauty and the "Beast"

Today was one of those “It’s great to be retired” days. I took a drive on PA Route 164 between Portage and Munster in Cambria County. I had heard about a gorgeous half-mile stretch of wildflowers alongside the road there and wanted to see them myself. I was not disappointed!
Wildflowers cover this Cambria County countryside.

PA Route 164 goes right through these beautiful wildflowers.

After that, it was back in the car and on to the Wilmore Reservoir Recreation Area – known locally as the Wilmore Dam. This site provides for activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and picnicking. I hiked in several areas on the property – in woods around the reservoir, along streams, and through a meadow. There was beauty everywhere! The “beast” was everywhere, also. The “beast” I speak of is litter. It just amazes and disgusts me that just about any place I’ve gone to lately for a walk or hike are covered with litter. What is wrong with people? I don’t understand how they can go out to enjoy all that beauty and leave it trashed. Maybe those people aren’t really going out for the beauty – they couldn’t be. Sorry for the rant, but it just bothers me so much.

Boaters pass by this pile of trash left behind by uncaring jerks on the shore of the Wilmore Reservoir.

On a lighter note, the Painted Lady butterfly was waiting for me in our wildflower garden when I returned home today. It was much more cooperative today, giving me a chance to photograph it with wings spread. You can compare today’s photo to the one I posted yesterday with its wings folded.

A Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) spreads it wings on a Black-eyed Susan. The Painted Lady is perhaps the most widespread butterfly in the world.