Diversions, distractions, and delightful detours.
It doesn’t matter what I’m doing: if I see a butterfly, I am instantly distracted. I like to think of myself as a focused, disciplined person. I make lists, I schedule my day, I plan my work and work my plan. When I’m inside my house, nothing can pull me out of the zone when I’m writing or in deep thought about solving a problem at work.
Outside is a different story. Yesterday, I brought my laptop out to my garden to work. I was in a text meeting with a colleague when an enormous butterfly fluttered in front of me and then settled on the zinnia patch next to my elbow. I had just asked a serious question of my colleague, and in the middle of our conversation, before he even had time to respond, I typed “OMG GIANT SWALLOWTAIL!!!”
Professional? Not so much. But, butterflies!

Black swallowtail in our Virginia garden. My favorite distraction.
Like a dog that sees a squirrel and jerks the leash out of its owner’s hand to chase it, I just can’t help but get excited, and 100% sidetracked, by monarchs, swallowtails, frittilaries, hairstreaks. They’re like jewels of the air. They are vibrant, graceful, full of light. And they are goofy as well, wobbling and weaving in their flight in a way that makes me laugh. I photograph them at every opportunity.
What about you: what is guaranteed to distract you? What is your “Ooh, shiny!”?
Good morning everyone!
Here’s my submission for this week.
By the by, nicely framed butterfly.
Hooroo and all that.
https://stupidityhole.wordpress.com/2017/08/17/river-crossing/
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My entry: https://rygalo.com/2017/08/16/weekly-photo-challenge-ooh-shiny/
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Love butterflies! My blog has a page dedicated to the beauties!! However, I need to see what you’re getting so excited about… we don’t have those species in Ireland! Me? Jealous!! Big time jealous! 😉
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Happens almost every week now….pingbacks not enabled. Can I apply to be your system tester?
https://ambitiousdrifter.com/2017/08/16/everything-is-art-isnt-it/
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A bit of shiny:
https://mostlymonochrome.wordpress.com/2017/08/16/wing-walker/
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Loving butterflies – they are everything that freedom should be.
Do you like boats?
https://writingonarock.wordpress.com/2017/08/16/weekly-photo-challenge-ooh-shiny/
Do you enjoy a short story?
https://writingonarock.wordpress.com/2017/08/16/house-clearance-a-short-story-hope-you-enjoy-it/
Enjoy today. J.
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Seeing what I don’t expect to see… http://wp.me/p3CFsE-3Sd
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The functionality of this site has stopped being shiny – but the birds around my house still are:
https://insellos.wordpress.com/2017/08/17/weekly-photo-challenge-ooh-shiny/
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I have wondering how it can take so many hours before they show my post here…
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I’ve taken the shiny literally. From a distance the Carrara marble quarries in Tuscany’s Apennines shine like glaciers in the Sun. http://bit.ly/JJ-Carrara
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Hi i am new to wordpress please check my blog thegreenlight151.wordpress.com
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Hi. My entry this week. A shiny new limo driver’s lunch stop. Hilarious.
https://cindimatography.wordpress.com/2017/08/16/weekly-photo-challenge-ooh-shiny/
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I love butterflies and that Swallowtail is a beauty, Andrea. I’m mad about seashells – they’re the ‘bling’ of the seashore – http://wp.me/p1wyZM-1pP
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Let the new world of illuminati temple shine and we are welcoming new members this week,just contact our working lines in USA for quick service+1(631)-315-4978LUCIFER OUR LORD.
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weird but true- bubbles are enchanting.
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I loved this topic! Here’s my post: http://wp.me/p10iHd-VH 🙂
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Sometimes it’s better to give “Shiny” than to receive
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This is my contribution to be a part of the WordPress Photo Challenge :: Ooh, Shiny!
https://wordpress.com/dailypost/photo-challenges/shiny/
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Esta es mi contribución al reto WordPress Photo Challenge :: Ooh, Shiny!
https://wordpress.com/dailypost/photo-challenges/shiny/
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I cannot believe this is written so beautifully. You brought me my oh shiny thing. My smiles 🙂 ❤
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Here is my entry for the week: http://wp.me/p24idL-4TJ
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https://juliepowell2014.wordpress.com/2017/08/17/weekly-photo-challenge-ooh-shiny
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Butterflies and flowers are so much more than beautiful distractions. I work for a conservation foundation. Seeing them IS my day plan!
https://scillagrace.com/2017/08/16/weekly-photo-challenge-ooh-shiny/
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Butterfly’s always get me too. Always.
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Beautiful!
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Here is my entry this week: http://stenoodie.com/2017/08/16/weekly-photo-challenge-ooh-shiny/ 🙂
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To me, all of nature is a distraction, and usually turns me into a ADHD victim. Yet, nature can also help me “focus”.
My Ohh, Shiny! moment…
https://wordpress.com/post/streamingthruamerica.com/19428
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Hello, Friends! Here is my submission! https://theeternaltruth.wordpress.com/2017/08/17/photo-challenge-ooh-shiny/
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sharondear2.wordpress.com/2017/08/17/photo-challenge-ooh-shiny/
My submission to Ooh, shiny.
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There is never too much time spent in nature ! What a beautiful distraction, there is no doubt that you are the right person to capture such beauty of life. I like the sound of your blog post, it makes me feel lighter about day to day rushed that society can bring. Thank you for your inspiration!
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Sid firoz
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