Golden Goldenrod
When it comes to September and October we need all the goldenrod we can get for our butterflies, especially Monarchs. People tend to think anything they see flowering so late is ragweed, but let them know the gold is goldenrod and that ragweed stays mostly leafy green.
Read MoreMonarch on Cosmos
I have taken so many photos of Monarch butterflies this year, but this very fresh and bold Monarch nectaring on a cosmos flower was a sensational contrast of colors on a cool September morning. I really am obsessed with them, and I’ll miss them as the last depart the region in several weeks. Here is hoping that winter population counts are strong this year. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMonarch Butterfly Release
I raised a couple of Monarch caterpillars this August, something I had not done since I was a child. I collected them and ended up feeding them from my own supply of swamp milkweed leaves that went otherwise unused. While many pollinators visited to enjoy the nectar of the flowers, I did not note any Monarchs in the yard or find any eggs. A couple weeks ago I noticed each chrysalis was turning black not far apart from one another, and by late that morning they’d emerged. I released them onto my coneflowers after their wings dried, and one of the two females provided me a chance to...
Read MoreGray Hairstreak Butterfly
Looks at a Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) don’t get much better than this as recently photographed on this Cardinal Climber flower.
Read MoreLeast Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor)
Say, what do we have here? A moth? Nay! The Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor) lives up to its name as the smallest skipper in our region and can easily go unseen among its relatives. Take a close and low look in grasslands or gardens to find one, especially in wet areas.
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