Many of the different variety of butterflies seem to be scarce this summer but there have some monarch butterflies around. And also some that mimics the monarch, like the Viceroy which is smaller and has the extra black line on the hindwings.
Autumn Viceroy Butterfly
There have been some unusual looking butterflies floating around lately as some of the monarchs are mating and are attached to each other as they fly around or rest on leaves. There are several generations in a year and the last generation will migrate south in the fall and return the next spring.
Mating Monarchs
Although there is still some snow around, more hints of spring appeared today with my troublesome chipmunks emerging from their winter dens as the call of the killdeer could be heard in the field. And on my lawn, my cat tried to catch the first butterfly of the season, a Mourning Cloak. The adult butterfly hibernates during the winter and is often the first spotted flying in the spring.
Butterfly Out of Hibernation
The insects and butterflies were busy gathering nectar on the cooler but sunny day before the freezing temperatures kill the flower blossoms.
Monarch Butterfly Feeding
Normally I spot the butterflies flying through the air or on flower blossoms, but after the rain, the wet sand drew this Tiger Swallowtail for drink.
Tiger Swallowtail
The monarch butterfly took a brief rest on the milkweed leaf before going back to the milkweed blossom for nectar. Female monarchs lay their eggs on the milkweed leaves.
Monarch on Milkweed
A pair of monarchs were floating around together while I was mowing and I suppose they have to hurry up and mate so there is a later generation which will migrate in the fall. Monarchs will remain together for several hours, sometimes as long as 16 hours, as they mate before the male releases the female so she can lay her eggs.
Monarchs Mating
Although butterflies are around in the spring and fall, to me butterflies mean summertime. In my part of the state, there are two different types of tiger swallowtail butterflies and when they are flying, it is hard to look at the spots to know which type it is. Normally the ones I capture with a photo are the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, but sometimes the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail will adventure into camera range.
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
Flashes of yellow were seen around the yard as the Tiger Swallowtail butterflies were checking out the flower blossoms.
Yellow on Yellow
I noticed more butterflies today when mowing like the Morning Cloak, the Red-spotted Purple and a Monarch (even though the milkweeds plants I just beginning to sprout up).
May Monarch
