November Orange Sulphurs
This photo is from the summer in the gardens of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History in Jamestown, New York, but in the past week I have seen several more of these Orange Sulphurs (Colias eurytheme) thanks to the balmy conditions. Have you seen any of them? Or spotted other butterfly species? The weather has been unseasonably warm, especially in regard to high temperatures, and was once again today. I am afraid to say those of you who have enjoyed it will be disappointed soon as temperatures will crash back to normal and below-normal for mid-November shortly. Scott Kruitbosch...
Read MorePowerline corridors, plants and wildlife
Powerline corridors, as well as gas and oil pipeline right of ways, are often an unexpected habitat oasis. They cover millions of acres of land in America. They may also provide a tremendous benefit to plants and wildlife that favor scrub or early successional habitat, a type that we do not favor in our development otherwise. Certain bees and butterflies to flowers and birds can all end up winning if these strips are managed properly – limiting mowing, chemicals, invasive plants and so forth. As humans have worked to protect forests we have neglected to do the same for this habitat...
Read MoreMonarch Migration Report from the Finger Lakes
Last week my husband and I took a trip to the Finger Lakes for a fun adventure to a new area we hadn’t explored much before. While we were there, we happily came across lots of different wildlife species, including several butterflies. While hiking into the fields (hills I should say!) owned by the bed and breakfast we were staying at, we came across about a half dozen or so monarch butterflies nectaring and resting. We also saw a few here and there flying through Watkins Glen State Park and near the International speedway as well, catching updrafts from winds blowing through the gorge...
Read MoreMonarchs massing in migration
This past weekend I visited a prime spot for Monarch butterfly migration: the coastal grasslands of Stratford Point in Stratford, Connecticut. Even four or six years ago one could expect to find hundreds of Monarchs at the site during the peak migratory period. The last couple of years have seen a dramatic collapse in their numbers in many parts of North America. As one of the most visible and widely known environmental disasters of the 21st century the plight of the species has been a subject of discussion for the masses. Thankfully I was able to see a decent mass of Monarchs at this...
Read MoreAmerican Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
Monarchs are not the only butterflies to see as we enter late October. I photographed this American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) this week while it was soaking up some sun and staying low on a breezy day. The tiny white spots in the middle of the seasonal orange on the postmedian parts of the forewing help to identify it as American instead of Painted. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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