Helleborus
The plant is beauty and the beast rolled into one. You’ll never find a more gorgeous blossom, and they come in many colors. Interestingly it is the same plant in both photos. The bottom one is where I had it under the pine trees, transplanted there after we moved here from living in the city. It did ok there but I didn’t like where it was. I moved it over to the north side of the house, where it would have more space to grow. It’s doing ok there but nothing great.
Now that the beauty has been covered, let’s talk about the beast part. Every part of the helleborus is poisonous, from its roots to its stems to its leaves to its blossoms. Looking at me holding this blossom, I hope I washed my hands thoroughly after taking the picture!
shadows beckon us
beautiful dreamers of death
with velvet petals
Heron
The black-crowned night heron above is the only heron I’ve gotten a photo of in the yard. I’ve seen many great blue herons flying in and out of the back area but have never been able to capture a photo. I’ve got other pics of herons but not from the yard. Herons never seem too concerned about the ways of humans. Their powers of concentration are mighty.
from a golf course on a bike ride:
from the conservation club:
bills mean business
deadly deals to worms, frogs, fish
commerce of living
Can you think of anything that looks very beautiful but is very deadly?
Tao Talk 
Spider’s webs are beautiful but the spider itself can be deadly!
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Yes they are and yes they can!
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I adore both hellebores and herons. Two of my favorite things about having moved further south. @samanthabwriter from Balancing Act
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Glad you’re familiar with and adore them, Samantha.
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I think most wild animals can be deadly if threatened and they are all beautiful. I took a picture is a very pretty but deadly toadstool today.
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For sure, Robbie. We live in a jungle of kill or be killed.
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🌻💚
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We are pretty sure the Great Blue Heron that visited us last year took the last remaining fish in our little pond. It was during a drought period and the fish were easy pickings for him.Donna: Click for my 2025 A-Z Blog
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I’ve heard about herons clearing out fish ponds before. Big bird, big appetite.
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What a neat center in that Helleborus.
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Yes!
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Love the art on your page. Lovely! Thanks for visiting Buttercupland. Please stop by often.
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Thanks so much, Buttercup. I will do my best.
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The center of the flower looks like it’s been embroidered. It’s like the Lily of the Valley, beautiful blooms yet poisonous. It is an interesting phenomenon. Maybe a way to protect the plant or something. I saw a heron the other day take flight. They are amazing creatures! :) Lovely post, Lisa.
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Thanks much for your perspective on them, Brenda. Yes, herons are! They are hard workers.
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Watch out for little brown recluse spiders… Their bit can be nasty. I think unless you are really know plants you shouldn’t eat any of them. Perhaps some plants have medical value if boiled but one also has to knon proportions.
I’ve got a photo of a Great Blue at the creek by me. They do tend to fly away if I get too close.
Thanks for sharing the Heron Art with those flowers too. I’m a tad busy with the holiday coming up. So I’m still very behind…
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Have a great time with fam over the holiday. No worries on getting behind on blogs. We’ll be right here, waiting for you <3
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I enjoyed your haikus of deadliness. I also like that your Celtic H has herons in it. I’ve got lots of poisonous plants in the yard and my kids learned early and often not to mess with them, but everything in the natural world’s gotta do what it’s gotta do.
https://nydamprintsblackandwhite.blogspot.com
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Thank you, Anne on the “haikus of deadliness” :) I wish I knew more about which plants do what. I know more about the medicinal ones but not the deadly ones.
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Very pretty flower with the dark color. I have heard they are poison though. One time I thought I’d grow some, but when I asked at the garden center they had never heard of them.
I like the big Heron! We have some at times around here at the little lake. :)
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Yes their flowers are so pretty. I’m surprised how many people grow them around here, especially Meijer Gardens, where there are so many little kids running around. Very cool on having herons on the little lake :)
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Two very different H beauties!
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:)
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