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!

38 comments:

  1. First, I agree that any day I see a butterfly is cause for celebration and dancing. And second, I am so excited to be on this amazing journey with you dear Beth. Couldn't think of a better partner as we go down the road to publishing our book.

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    1. Yes, partner, it has been a great journey so far, and much discovery and joy ahead. :)

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  2. Beautiful butterflies and fabulous news.

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    1. Thank you, dear Gail. So much to be thankful for and to anticipate ahead. Happy almost spring. :)

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  3. Ah, that's great news Beth, congratulations!

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  4. Congratulations, Beth! I hope you and Donna have a great experience bringing the book to market and I look forward to reading it. Your butterfly pics are beautiful as usual.

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    1. Thank you, Kris. :) We're having fun and enjoying working together on this.

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  5. These are wonderful and so is your news. How do you identify the butterflies? Do you have a book or do you just know that many different ones by sight?

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    1. Thanks, Linda. I know some of them, but with most of them I take the photos and confirm or look them up on the Wisconsin Butterflies site. I'm no expert, but it's such a fun activity!

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  6. Congratulations!! I am so thrilled for you! We need to review your book on our podcast. ~~Dee

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    1. Thank you, Dee! That would be great! We will get you an advance copy. :)

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  7. Congratulations! I'm so glad to hear you are working on your own book and not prepping someone else's (though you're great at that too).

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    1. Thanks, Lee. You are so kind. :) We're certainly enjoying this journey!

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  8. Brava - so exciting to have a proper publisher!

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    1. Yes, we are thrilled to be working with Golden Dragonfly Press. Their books are beautiful!

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  9. So wonderful to see these butterfly photos in mid-winter. And delighted to know that that you and your colleague have a book project coming.

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    1. Thanks, Lisa. I know you're working on similar projects. Good luck to you, too! The memories of the butterflies help me to get through February.

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  10. Stunning photos. Many congratulations on the book!

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    1. Thanks, Caroline. I miss you. I hope we'll see you at the 2022 Fling. :)

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  11. Wow! Super fantastic colors!! And the Clearwing is really neat :)

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    1. They are so fun to see and photograph. I agree: Some of the moths are really fascinating!

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  12. Congratulations!!!
    I am so excited for you.
    I enjoyed the photos!
    I have Spring Fever!

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    1. Thank you, Carla. :) The hints of warmer weather are pleasant, aren't they? Fingers crossed that we've made it through the worst of the winter...

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  13. Such a beautiful array of butterflies! And many congratulations on your book deal! Wishing you both all the best!

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    1. Thanks, Tina. I'm so looking forward to butterfly sightings. :)

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  14. What a remarkable gallery of butterflies! I'm bookmarking it for reference. Great photos, too, especially since butterflies aren't always willing to "pose." And super congratulations on the book!

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda! Butterflies are amazing, aren't they?!

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  15. These photos are wonderful, Beth! I's amazed at the Snowberry Clearwing moth; who would have imagined it? You publishing news is so exciting. Congratulations!!

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    1. Thanks, Jane! Yes, that moth is so fascinating. I'm so looking forward to butterfly sightings in the months ahead. Happy 2022!

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  16. Very exciting news indeed! Congratulations on the new book!

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  17. Nature is incredibly beautiful. Wonderful photos that give color and joy to our day.

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    1. It is indeed. So much beauty and fascination to behold during a simple hike. :)

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  18. Lovely butterflies! I feasted on your images this morning. The Am. Lady has a cute "uh, oh" expression! Great news about your collaboration with Donna. Best to you!

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    1. Thanks, Susie. I see what you mean about the American Lady. Sometimes I wonder what they're thinking. Yes, we're very excited about the book. :)

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  19. Congratulations on the book deal! You are an excellent writer and will do a fantastic job creating the new book. It will be a smashing success!
    Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

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    1. Thank you, Jeannie. You are so kind. We're very excited. :)

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