The summer flowers, like the orange hawkweed, attract a range of butterflies which feed on the blossoms.
Summer Butterflies
Picture of the Day for September 21, 2023
The other day I rescued a butterfly that was trapped in the garage as it was flying against the window glass instead of going out through the open door. I didn’t recognize the butterfly and I didn’t stop to take a picture as I didn’t want it to damage its wings while hitting the glass. This Milbert’s Tortoiseshell has a bit of damage to one of its wings, but I don’t know what caused the damage as it wasn’t the butterfly rescued.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
Picture of the Day for August 18, 2023
I have been noticing more Giant Swallowtail butterflies this year than last year. They are the largest butterfly in North America. While the butterfly is pretty, the larval is sometimes considered a pest due to it feeding on the foliage of most citrus species, causing significant defoliate damage to younger trees.
Giant Swallowtail Butterfly
Picture of the Day for August 12, 2023
Insect and butterflies are enjoying the summer flowers and at least the hail last evening was only pea size at my place so not a lot of damage like some of the other areas had.
Butterfly on Flower
Picture of the Day for May 26, 2023
More butterflies have been spotted as the spring flowers have opened. A Tiger Swallowtail was visiting my lilacs that were just starting to open before taking a rest break on the pine tree. The larger female is more colorful than the male as it has more blue spots on its wing.
Male Tiger Swallowtail
Picture of the Day for January 12, 2023
There were some snowflake floating in the air today as the temperature dropped. And it will be a while before seeing some butterflies flitting around on some colorful blooming flowers instead of the white landscape.
Summertime Butterfly
Picture of the Day for August 18, 2022
The morning rain created some water puddles and I watched a big crow enjoying a temporary water bath. The butterflies, like this Giant Swallowtail, also seem to like the moist soil after a long dry spell.
Giant Swallowtail
Picture of the Day for August 11, 2022
It is a good thing that the male Eastern tiger swallowtails uses pheromones to entice the female butterfly since this male wouldn’t not get high marks for being handsome with his damaged and ripped wings.
Battered Butterfly
Picture of the Day for June 23, 2022
The butterflies numbers seem down from other years, but I did spot a tiger swallowtail today enjoying some of the summer flowers.
A Tiger Swallowtail
Picture of the Day for May 10, 2022
It definitely has been a weird late spring and this year as the first butterfly I spotted was not the red admiral or the mourning cloak, but a monarch. Plus the bumble bees were out today, but they will not find this flower for several months yet so the few flowers that have opened will have lots of visitors.
Return of the Monarch
