The nice summer day had the butterflies out in full force again today, like this Tiger Swallowtail feeding on a milkweed blossom.
Milkweed and Tiger Swallowtail
Picture of the Day for August 1, 2017
The milkweed plants and the field around my pond today had a lot of varieties of butterflies floating through, including Monarchs, Tiger Swallowtails, Giant Swallowtails, Red Admiral and Mourning Cloak. There were probably more species, but they weren’t as large or showy to spot as I was mowing lawn. This Black Swallowtail has a wingspan about 4 inches across so more noticeable than the little Spring Azure with a wingspan of about an inch which was flying ahead of the mower.
Black Swallowtail
Picture of the Day for May 2, 2017
After snow yesterday and a cold this morning, the sun finally made its appearance, which I’m sure all the flowers appreciated as well as I did. The birds seemed to be happier too and I noticed the first grosbeak back. Butterflies flitted around in the afternoon sun and this larger tiger swallowtail butterfly was gathering some nectar from a dandelion.
Swallowtail Enjoying A Dandelion
Picture of the Day for April 1, 2017
At least Mother Nature didn’t throw an April Fool’s joke since it was a nice spring day and several species of butterflies were flying around as bird were singing. A Mourning Cloak and Eastern Comma both were playing tag around my cats, but at least they stayed out of the cats pouncing range.
Return of the Butterflies
Picture of the Day for January 21, 2017
The rain which is melting the snow is creating some dense fog so no sunshine to be found. And even if it is above freezing, there are no flowers or butterflies to be found in January around here unless inside.
Red Admiral on Wild Bergamot
Picture of the Day for November 2, 2016
A nice treat, during this mild week in November, was spotting a tiger swallowtail butterfly flying around and briefly landing on a pine tree before continuing on its flight across the yard.
November Tiger Swallowtail
Picture of the Day for September 16, 2016
As the leaves begin to display autumn colors, the flowers seem to fade into the background with just a few reminders of summer blossoms remaining like the wild asters which are providing nectar for bees and butterflies.
Monarch Enjoying Wild Asters
Picture of the Day for August 11, 2016
The dragonflies have been flying around my house in large numbers this summer but the butterflies seem to be less frequent visitors or are very skittish (probably since the cats like to sneak up on them) so they don’t hold still for a picture. The Red-spotted Purple is a common butterfly in Wisconsin during the summer months.
Red-spotted Purple
Picture of the Day for June 24, 2016
On a sunny summer day, the frogs are floating on the pond as birds are catching bugs to feed their young while other insects and butterflies are getting pollen from summertime flowers.
Feeding on the Daisies
Picture of the Day for May 2, 2016
The butterflies return in the spring like the wildflowers and the summer birds. The several Red Admiral have returned and some of them have rested on my pant legs. I’m not if they think they will be safe from the cats or if it is the extra body heat from me as the sun goes down.
Return of the Red Admiral
