To help with the Nature Conservancy Of Canada five nation; “Bioblitz” we spent some time in Arboretum identifying species … this was one of the stars. Their caterpillars grow on wild violets on the edges of woodland.
Monarch’s exploit many plants, not only milkweed. This specimen had just been laying eggs on milkweed leaves and had moved over to this Echinacea to stocky up on nectar.
Vanessa atalanta – I used to wonder why “Admiral” in the name; apparently they used to be called Red Admirables and the rest was inevitable.
Coming in to land on New England Aster flowers – the number of Monarch butterflies have been reduced this year – apparently because of weather problems in central Mexico where they over-winter and then prolonged and cold winds from the north in spring that made sure many never made it back north of the Great Lakes. Some got here though and now the return migration has begun.
EXIF details
The Monarchs are finally starting to appear around the garden and in town. This one making the most of nectar form our New England Asters.
A fairly common butterfly for this time of the year.
EXIF details
As you can tell form the name, this attractive butterfly did not evolve on this continent. In fact they appeared first about ten years ago at Mirabel Airport a half hour’s drive north of Montreal (so presumably hitched a ride) and seem to like it hereabouts, First seen our garden three or four years ago and caused much confusion until we found about the above as it doesn’t “quite” match any of the small, blue natives. Doesn’t seem to be causing any trouble.
Trying to get a full view of the outspread wings of this large and beautiful butterfly sitting on the flowers of Boneset, I moved around and by chance caught this unusual angle …
