Festive Song Sparrow
This is one festive Song Sparrow…even though it didn’t know it. The reds and greens in the background are Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) that can linger through the fall and into the winter, providing very late nectar for anything that needs it.
Read MoreMonarch Butterfly
This is obviously a bit of a throwback to earlier this summer and yet another gorgeous Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterfly enjoying some nectar in a garden. Have you seen any more Monarchs hurrying their way south in November? Considering how warm it has been in some areas there is still a chance to spot one or two here or there after having emerged recently, trying to elude the snow. Most of the Monarch butterfly population has already made their way to the wintering grounds in Mexico. Some of the species does overwinter in California, and counts will be conducted once again at many of...
Read MoreAsters
Some of our latest blooming flowers are the asters, and they are essential for the bees, butterflies and other insects still flying in October and November. Please make sure your yard has nectar and pollen sources from when the snow melts in spring until the first flurries fall in autumn.
Read MoreStill Not Spring
It is not spring even though many Clouded and Orange Sulphur butterflies continue flying and feeding on nectar sources like this dandelion. Something that gives away the relative date of this photo is the low sun angle adding light from the side as we are less than two months from the winter solstice. You can also see a little bee mimic fly venturing into the flower, too.
Read MoreRed-banded Hairstreak
Here is one very close view of a beautiful Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) from last month. The little butterflies are disappearing now that we are into October, and they will be missed. Until next year…
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