purple..

A purple loosestrife city has risen around the pond.

A gift as plugs from my aunt and uncle.

We'd first seen purple loosestrife in all its glory on the Scottish Isle of Colonsay. Ditches and pond edges deep purple.

The tall flower spikes await insects in this empty-of-insects summer. 

The skeletal stems will remain until spring.

They'll be perfect launch sites for the emerging damselfly and dragonfly nymphs who will crawl up into the sunshine and emerge resplendent and glistening as adults.

Leaving their empty exuviae behind.