Insects
Where do Butterflies go in the Winter?
It is October in Florida and although we look forward to the break in the extreme summer heat, Anne and I are anxiously awaiting the fall migration of birds and butterflies. Yes, I said butterflies. In northern U.S., some species of butterflies over winter in the hollows of trees. Others go into an animated suspension in […]
Our Morning with Butter-wings
Anne closes the front door as we leave our villa to begin our morning walk. I see a medium-sized butter-yellow butterfly fluttering around the red hibiscus shrubs that stand as sentries on each side of our garage. These plants prop up about a dozen red flowers each day. Although cloudless sulphur butterflies inspect these crimson adornments, I […]
How Did the Butterfly Get Its Name?
Personally, I always thought this beautiful insect should be called a flutter-by, not butterfly. Although, sometimes I call them special words I cannot post here when they don’t cooperate when I am trying to photograph them. Some think the butterfly got its name because many of the European butterflies were the color of butter and thus […]
Newborn Beauties Float on Gentile Breezes to Begin Their Journey of Life
Jade green Monarch chrysalids dangle from the backyard plants, windowsills and even the barbecue. Anne and I wait with great anticipation for ten days to pass to see these orange beauties rupture from their diaphanous sheaths. We know this is about to happen when the chrysalis begins to turn black. Within 24 hours, a new […]
Overlooked Dainty Butterflies
Beads of sweat form on my forehead from the hot Florida sun as I search our milkweed garden for native toads that I want to photograph for my blog. As I wipe the sweat from my forehead a small white butterfly captures my attention. It is one of the smallest butterflies I’ve ever seen, merely […]
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