February 07, 2022

The Butterflies of 2021
(And a Happy Announcement)

monarch
Monarch among prairie plants

One of my favorite activities during spring, summer, and fall is to hike, and count and photograph butterflies. I report my sightings to wisconsinbutterflies.org. This past butterfly season was fabulous! What follows are a few of the butterfly (and one of the moth) sightings of 2021, in no particular order. There were many more; this is just a small sample:

tiger swallowtail 1
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

tiger swallowtail 2
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (black form female)

pearl crescent
Pearl Crescent

black swallowtail
Black Swallowtail

clouded sulphur
Clouded Sulphur

wood nymph
Common Wood-Nymph

viceroy
Viceroy

ss skipper
Silver-Spotted Skipper

snowberry clearwing moth
Snowberry Clearwing (moth)

eastern tailed blue
Eastern Tailed-Blue

red admiral
Red Admiral

mating monarchs
Monarchs (mating)

american lady
American Lady

giant swallowtail
Giant Swallowtail

cabbage white
Cabbage White

All photos were taken in natural areas, botanical gardens, and my own property. Frankly, every time I see a butterfly brings a special joy, and I look forward to the season ahead.

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Good news! My blogging friend, Donna, of Gardens Eye View, and I are co-authors of a book to be published in the months ahead. We're thrilled to be working with Golden Dragonfly Press. Stay tuned for more information soon!