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| Monarch |
Happy New Year!
It's winter outside my door, of course, but during the "warm" months, I enjoy tracking and counting butterflies during my hikes and garden adventures, and then reporting my sightings to wisconsinbutterflies.org.
This post includes a few of my butterfly sightings of the past year. There were many more; I tried to include one photo of each species, but I included two monarchs (and some monarch eggs) and two common buckeyes...just because. I also saw some great spangled fritillaries, but the photos were not good. And, of course, I saw many more butterflies that I didn't photograph.
This exercise reminds me why I so enjoy spring, summer, and fall in my part of the world. Winter, meh. Anyway, here goes...
All photos were taken in local natural areas, at botanical gardens, and on my own property. I miss the butterflies, and I look forward to many sightings in the year ahead.
This post includes a few of my butterfly sightings of the past year. There were many more; I tried to include one photo of each species, but I included two monarchs (and some monarch eggs) and two common buckeyes...just because. I also saw some great spangled fritillaries, but the photos were not good. And, of course, I saw many more butterflies that I didn't photograph.
This exercise reminds me why I so enjoy spring, summer, and fall in my part of the world. Winter, meh. Anyway, here goes...
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| American Lady |
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| Black Swallowtail |
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| Cabbage White |
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| Common Buckeye |
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| Fiery Skipper |
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| Eastern Tailed Blue |
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| Least Skipper |
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| Monarch |
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| Monarch Eggs (and Ant) |
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| Mourning Cloak |
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| Common Buckeye |
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| Northern Broken Dash |
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| Orange Sulphur |
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| Painted Lady |
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| Eastern Comma |
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| Pearl Crescent |
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| Red Admiral |
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| Silver-Spotted Skipper |
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| Red-Spotted Purple |
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| Sachem |
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| Clouded Sulphur |
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| Summer Spring Azure |
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| Viceroy |
All photos were taken in local natural areas, at botanical gardens, and on my own property. I miss the butterflies, and I look forward to many sightings in the year ahead.
Beautiful shots, Beth! I saw relatively few butterflies this past year, although the cloudless sulphers were active even in December. Our "local" (Santa Barbara County) monarch preserve counted just 37 monarchs on the last take, which is sad.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kris. It was kind of a back-and-forth year here. Some weeks I saw quite a few; other weeks, not so many. Any day with butterflies is a joy, isn't it? That is sad about the monarch numbers. I hear they're down at the Mexico sanctuaries, too.
DeleteWhat a great compendium of Wisconsin butterflies! Happy New Year Beth. May our gardens flourish in 2025 - and continue to bring butterflies to the flowers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janet. :) Best wishes for you, your garden, and your butterfly visitors. Happy New Year!
DeleteBeautiful set of photos, Beth. I particularly like the shots of the Eastern Tail Blue and the Mourning Cloak. As well, you did a great job of capturing the cute butterfly faces. Wishing you and yours a safe and healthy 2025. Tina
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tina. It's a true joy to observe and photograph the butterflies, and reporting on the sightings is a fun citizen science activity. All the best to you and yours in the year ahead, as well. :)
DeleteGreat photos ans what a lovely hall of memories you have created.
ReplyDeleteThey are such a blessing to photograph and observe. Thank you. :)
DeleteWhat fabulous photos! Really warmed my soul on this miserable cold and dreary day. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gill. Yes, it helps me, as well, to think about the colors and warmth of the other seasons. ;-)
DeleteSo many beautiful critters. Just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHey Gail: They are amazing beauties. I have so many happy memories viewing, counting, photographing, and enjoying them. :)
DeleteThe skippers are funny little butterflies. Some of my favorites to be sure. That's quite a variety. I love the detail on the Eastern Tailed Blue.
ReplyDeleteThe skippers are small and quick, and sometimes hard to capture with the camera. I didn't even see as many butterflies in 2024 as in most years; but the variety seemed more expansive.
DeleteHi Beth, fantastic photos.
ReplyDeleteSadly, we did not have many butterflies here in our garden this year and we did not see many on our travels. My husband noted this in our travel journal.
Carla
Thank you, Carla. It seemed like there were times during the growing season when I didn't see many, and then I'd see a flourish. Not as many monarchs as usual ;-) , but I'd say more skippers.
DeleteBeth, your photos are exquisite. Such a great record of your butterfly sightings. I've never seen a Mourning Cloak.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to put together a butterfly review for last year but can't seem to finish it. I saw many fewer butterflies than last year.
Hi Susie: Thank you. The butterfly scouting and reporting is fun. Mourning cloaks are relatively common around here--even in my backyard. They tend to be the first butterflies we see each year. I think, overall, I saw fewer butterflies last summer, but the variety of species seemed more expansive than in some years. They sure are beautiful creatures, aren't they?
DeleteWhile the world is full of interesting animals, I don't know if any are more poetic than the butterfly. I recently started a carpet cleaning company. I feel like I am just starting to emerge from my cacoon and embrace the challenges and opportunities the world has in store for me. Thanks for sharing these incredible photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you...such thoughtful words. Yes, I agree, that butterflies are poetic and special. Good luck with your new company!
DeleteOhhh, I love butterflies too and am surprised at how many we have in common. Photos are wonderful. My patience waned for taking butterfly pics this year. Amelia
ReplyDeleteHi Amelia: Yes, it's interesting that we have so many species in common. They are so beautiful and fascinating to observe. Thank you. :)
DeleteLovely! Sweden are now very snowy and cold. So. it will take a while until spring butterflies arrive. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. We are very cold now, too, but not much snow, which is unusual. But I will look forward to the butterflies...it will be a long time for me, too. Usually, I see the first one sometime in March or April.
DeleteA beautiful selection of butterfly photographs. I'm a bit envious, I saw hardly any butterflies last summer here.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I didn't see as many monarchs last year, but it seemed the diversity of sightings was greater than most years. Hunting for and reporting on butterfly surveys are so rewarding. :)
DeleteI LOVE this post and especially the captures of the Eastern Tailed Blue, Painted Lady and Monarch Butterflies are amazing! Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee. They are wonderful creatures, aren't they? Happy New Year to you, too!
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