Looking for Fairies

I was washing dishes a few days ago when I heard this sound, like tiny bells.  I looked around and this Fairy, I have hang in the kitchen was motioning to me!

 She put her finger to her lips and softly said, "Shhh, Listen closely"  I was totally amazed!  I went closer and She said I felt your feelings of thoughts of magic and fairies.  I suggest you visit the Gnome house out back."  And in a blink she was back to .....

That was very strange...so I walked out to find the Gnome house....and found it!

I stood there for a moment just looking at it wondering what I was doing... Really..a fairy said visit the Gnome.........

What is happening?  Everything was spinning and I heard this gruff voice "Find the Big One"   I had no idea what that meant either but walked around the yard until I found.

There he was where he has stood all summer..only different.   I heard him say "Go out to the woods and you will find the entrance to Fairyland"    Ok now I am beginning to think I am going crazy...but what did I have to loose?????

So here I am in the woods and thought I better ask for some directions...

 I asked this pretty creature, "Are you a fairy?"  His reply was "No, I am a "Fiery Skipper! Why did you think I was a fairy?"  I said, "You have wings and you are sitting on a flower"   The Fiery Skipper laughed and said "Oh, you have allot to learn.  Why don't you ask the birds, they fly high and get a great view of the countryside."

This Baltimore Oriole flew into the tree and I asked him if he knew where I can find the fairies?  He looked closely at me and said I should look for the turtles who line up and wait to give the fairies rides...  That was interesting as I thought Fairies could fly wherever they wanted...He asked me if I ever rode on something to get somewhere when I could walk...Yes I said and that did make sense....

Off I went to find the turtles.....

It didn't take long and I found the Turtles....I asked them if they were the Turtles waiting to give Fairies a ride?  They looked as me with such shock and the little one yelled "That is a Big Fairy...too big for me." and dove into the water and was followed by the others.  Oh dear what now!?  I was flattered that they thought I was a fairy...so on I went looking for the Fairies.....

Then I heard this chirping and behind some blades of grass was a Cardinal.  He said, "I suggest you ask a butterfly.  They know all the secret places"

While looking for a butterfly, I saw this Raccoon and asked him if he knew where the Fairies are?  He said "Follow the mushrooms" and disappeared from sight.

Mushrooms, Ok...that shouldn't be too hard....or so I thought!

 I found these and then these...

 And then I stumbled on this ...well...like a village...


Well I must be getting closer but wasn't sure.

I found this group of Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and asked them for help...All they could do was argue about following the frog.  Follow the frog...No don't follow the frog...What is one to do?

Then there was the frog..."Follow Me!!"  "Follow Me!!"  He lead me to this!

Oh my this could be the Rabbit's hole (and we know what happened to Alice) or it could be a trap?  I said you go in first and he just croaked and hopped away...Now what...

Mr. Groundhog came by and asked if I had come to visit...I said No, I am looking for the Fairies.  He told me to ask the butterfly and down the hole he went.

Then this Deer whispered from the tall grasses, "I saw the Butterfly a few minutes ago in the field."

Then I saw him, The Red Admiral.  I asked him if he knew where the fairies are?  He said go under the bridge of branch to the tree with the hole and close your eyes and call for the Fairies to show themselves.  I finally found the bridge of branch, it was beautiful....

How did I miss this? I walked under and there in front of me was the Tree with the hole.

 There was this mist around it and the air spelled sweet like honeysuckle.    I closed my eyes and called for the Fairies and waited....when I open my eyes the tree had changed!

Wow...I approached it and got down on the ground to look inside.....

And the next thing I knew I was here....

How did I get here?  What happened? It was getting late, where had the time gone?

This Eastern Tiger Swallowtail said that if you see a fairy, the fairy will not let you remember. 

The Red-bellied Woodpecker laughed at me and said "Did you really think the fairies would show themselves to you."

The Great Blue Heron told me not to worry.  No one has seen the Fairies but we all know they are out there.  

The Common Buckeye said that every time you see a bird, butterfly, bug...that you have seen a Fairy.  So instead of looking for something that will never show itself to you, enjoy the sights that you can see.  There is wonder and magic in every flower that grows and blooms...

and every bird with all the different colors....

Like the Indigo Bunting.

And the insects like this Eastern Amberwing....

The Heron flew by on his way home and I knew it was time for me to go home too....

Wait, what is that movement on the ground! Maybe a Fairy!!!!

No just a Dark-eyed Junco....

The Purple Martin's were bedding down...but this one asked me... Do you see the guy sitting there?  Something is wrong with him...he never moves.....LOL...

The Moon has risen and after this adventure I am ready for a good night sleep......

                                          Or.....have I been sleeping and dreaming all this?????  

                                  Maybe I should have started my tale with "Once upon a time"..............