These photos are of the butterfly species that visited my “patch” or other parts of my yard during this past year. I have “played and anguished” over which photos to post. I spent countless hours going back and forth over way too many photos. I edited and re-edited and cropped and re-cropped. And when I got tired I read the news or a post here and there or simply closed the computer and rested. And I rested a lot because I still have little to no energy due to afib which I have put off getting fixed. (I will be getting that done soon).
Today, 1/19/15, I gave up for adoption, my Aussie cattle dog, Zoey (Zoe). She was my dog since she was a puppy that was tossed/dumped into my backyard. I loved her with all my heart and she was very bonded to me. However, my two adult children decided a year ago that Zoey made too much noise when they visited me. They said I did not need a crazy dog. Funny thing is that Zoe was only a problem when they visited. Zoey was not a perfect dog and had some faults but she was my protector. Anyhow, they nagged and hounded me until I finally relented thinking that Zoe could have a better home where she could get more attention. (No energy to play with her or give her rides on the cart that she loved so much. I’ve been very depressed and cried most of the day but she went to what I believe is a wonderful family. The man of the house said to me, ” It’s for the best isn’t it?” I replied, “I hope so.”
There will be a post soon, probably in a few days or less about the adoption and the sadness that I felt as I sobbed all the way to meet the people and then all the way home. But enough about that.
This is a long post. The number of species were fewer last year than the year before. But the number of Queens had increased dramatically. At least 10-25 Queens were in the butterfly patch from 10-am till about 4-5pm each day. Whenever I felt down and out, I wobbled to the patch and just watched the butters hovering and nectaring. What a glorious sight to briefly raise my spirits during some of my darkest days. The pics are not so hot but that’s what one gets with with a cheap lens. Maybe one day when I am well after the ablation I’ll have a good lens…
Monarch (danaus plexippus) Wingspan 3.5″-4″ nectaring on non-native Mexican Butterfly milkweed in my butterfly patch
Monarch (danaus plexippus) Wingspan: 3.5″- 4″ nectaring on Mexican Butterfly Milkweed (non-native host and nectar plant)
Gulf Fritillary (agraulis vanillae) Wingspan 2.5″-3″ Female getting ready to deposit eggs on host plant- ( Passif
lora Incarnata (passionvine) native
Gulf Fritillaries (agraulis vanillae) Furthering the species
Gulf Fritillaries male and female furthering the species
Queen x1 (danaus gilippus) Wingspan: 3″-3.5″ Nectaring on blue mist flower.
Queens x2 (danaus gilippus) Wingspan: 3″-3.5″ Nectaring on blue mist flower.
Queens x3 nectaring on Blue Mist Flower which grows rampant in my butterfly patch. It has no insect or disease problems.
Pipevine Swallowtail (battus philenor) Wingspan: 2.8″-4″ This pic for ID purpose- note the 7 orange dots in a “c” or semicircle on the underside of the hindwings. Nectaring on Skyflower in this pic.[/caption]
Pipevine Swallowtail (battus philenor) Wingspan: 2.8″-4″ This photo taken in 2013. No energy this year when this butter appeared. Note the metallic blue of the hindwings, Constant fluttering of the wings. Difficult to photograph.
Giant Swallowtail (papilio cresphontes)Wingspan: 4″-4.5″ Host plant in my yard -Common Rue which is in the citrus family.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (papilio glaucus Wingspan: 3.5″-5.5″ This photo shot taken 9/2014. Butter was resting on a leaf.
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Butterfly egg of the Black Swallowtail on Common Rue, A 2013 photo.[/caption]
Black swallowtail (pupilio polyxenes) Wingspan: 2.5″-4″ Host plant in my yard dill, fennel, common rue, parsley. In this pic she is laying eggs on a huge stand of volunteer dill. This pic is not sharp. Sun was directly over head and she was constantly beating her wings. I could not zero in on her. They always seem to lay eggs very early or at the hottest time of the day.
Pearl Crescent (phyciodes tharos) wingspan: 1″_ 1.5″ Host plant in my yard- native fall Aster. Also a favorite nectaring plant of this butter.
Phaon Crescent (phyciodes phaon) Wingspan: .8-1.2″ Nectaring on native Fall Aster
Skippers are difficult for me to ID. I am calling this one a Sachem (atalopedes campestris) Wingspan: 1-1.5″ Host plant in my yard: Bermuda grass.
Painted Lady (vamessa cardui) Wingspan: 2″ -2.5″
Nectaring on African Blue Sage)
Painted Lady- (vanessa cardui) wingspan: 2″-2.5″ Nectaring on African Blue Sage. This in a pic from 2013. Needed this for showing wing pattern for ID. Nectaring on African Blue Sage
Horace’s Duskywing (erynnis boratius) winfspan 1″-1.5″ Not sure of this ID. Possibly Northrn Cloudywing. Host plant in my yard for the cloudywing- Red Oak and Live Oak.
Northern Cloudywing (thorybes pylades) Wingspan 1.3-1.7″. I’m not 100% sure of the identity of this one. Possibly Horaces’ Duskywing. Much of the color and markings have faded. Host plant for the duskywing is the oak in my yard.
Gray Hairstreak (strymon melinus) wingspan: 1″-1.2″ nectaring on Blue Mist Flower. Host plant in my yard- various flowers
Bordered Patch (chlosyne lucinia) Wingspan: 1.8.-2.3″
Host plants in my yard- native sunflowwers
American Lady (vanessa virginiesis) Wingspan 1.8″-2.5″ Nectaring on Blue Mist Flower. Note 2 underwing spots that distinguishes from Painted Lady
American Lady (Vanessa virginiesis) wingspan: 1.8″-2.5″ Nectaring on Blue Mist flower 10-16-2014
Post and photography: yvonne daniel
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