It Must be Fall ā¦ā¦.
September 22, 2025
Like soft, fluffy snow! Glistening orbs of silky gossamer are floating about the neighborhood, drifting hither and yon in the gentle breeze. Suspended beneath each orb is a single reddish-brown winged seed that appears to coax its wind-propelled puff in a safe descent to the ground. But the white floss (the Coma) wants to fly, and it becomes a tug of war. As the weight of the seed overwhelms the ability (and the desire) of the floss to carry it, their brief relationship is severed. But both get their wish ā¦. the floss flies free as the seed drops to the ground, hopefully landing in an ideal spot to overwinter and sprout next spring.
Welcome Fall!
When the air is full of Horsetail Milkweed parachutes and their āriders,ā I walk along the neighborhood roadways and collect a bounty of their new-crop seeds + floss to set free around our property. If they find the right soil, moisture, and light conditions for spring germination, the seeds will not only form the beginnings of a stand of these beautifully blooming, creamy-white milkweed flowers, but the plants might just play host to Monarch and Queen butterflies!
Now wouldnāt that be dandy!
(Of course, mature seeds from new plants will undoubtedly entice a hungry crop of well-dressed Milkweed Bugs next Fall. Thatās OK! They have to eat too!)
My Journal Pages ā¦ā¦
For something different, instead of using ink and watercolor, all sketches on these pages were created in graphite. The pods, seeds and the milkweed bug were sketched from my collected samples using a mechanical pencil loaded with a fine point HB lead. The touches of color were added with water soluble graphite.
Thanks for stopping by ā¦.. And Have a Fabulous Fall!
a curious nature 
Barb –
Just love your postsā¦I always learn so much. Iāve always loved seeing milkweed when they go to seed. The seed and attached fluffy filaments always reminded me of a lady in a ball gown. I, myself, have drawn the pods on many an occasion.
Dee
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Love your very visual description of a lady in a ball gown! Itās perfect! Would love to see your milkweed pod drawings! Iām not surprised youāve turned them into art many times! Thanks so much for the wonderful comments and compliments too. So glad to have you as a frequent follower ā¦ā¦ or like the milkweed floss ā¦. Frequent flyer!
Have an awesome day Dee!
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The graphite sketches are so effective, Barb! Oh, how I wish we had milkweed “fluff” floating by here. We do have Cardoon fluff at the Heritage Garden where I volunteer, and I took a close look at it these past couple of weeks which was fun. We have Showy Milkweed in the garden, too, so I’ll have to watch closely for those pods to burst open! Isn’t it fascinating how the seeds with Coma attached are arranged so neatly and perfectly inside the pod? I sure hope the seeds take hold on your property — I love that you are supporting the Monarchs & Queens!!!
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Thank you so much Karen! Sketching with only graphite is very special. It was a good reminder. Cardoon? And whatever that is, it has Fluff!?! Will be looking that up for sure. Showy milkweed is a most excellent species. It is mind blowing how the silky Coma fibers are perfectly aligned in the pods. I never really looked that close before at an immature pod either. Exploring Horsetail Milkweed was my definition of extreme nature journaling fun! Iām still riding that high! Fingers crossed that the seeds will be germinating next spring. Itās supposed to be one of the easiest milkweeds to grow from seed. So cool!
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Barb, isnāt nature just fascinating! I hope you have an abundant crop of milkweed next year. And I love the graphite!
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Thanks so so much Susan for commenting on the graphite. I loved sketching all the way to the final with my pencil. So satisfying. And yes! Nature is fascinating ā¦ā¦ as a matter of fact, Nature is beyond the stars awesome! Hope youāre carving out time for creative endeavors! Happy Fall in beautiful western NC!
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Such a worthwhile fall subject, Barb! And not easy to capture such finery on white paper. Glad you’ve preserved these in your sketchbook.
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Seed pods are sooooooo coooool! Thanks Jean!
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Barb- Wanted you to know that I am getting your posts twice so I unsubscribed from one. I should still get what you send.
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Wonder why thatās happening? Very curious! I couldnāt tell though, but thanks for letting me know!
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