When I wrote about the Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta, in my first Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2011, I was bemoaning the fact that I had never seen this 'admirable' butterfly in my gardens. Well, from year to year, we never know how things might be. This past spring of 2012 I delighted in oodles of the brightly, patterned butterflies floating about like living ornaments, lit up by the sun, lighting and feeding all over the weeping crabapple just outside our little painting … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Red Admiral
Archives for March 2013
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Red Admiral
When I wrote about the Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta, in my first Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2011, I was bemoaning the fact that I had never seen this 'admirable' butterfly in my gardens. Well, from year to year, we never know how things might be. This past spring of 2012 I delighted in oodles of the brightly, patterned butterflies floating about like living ornaments, lit up by the sun, lighting and feeding all over the weeping crabapple just outside our little painting studio. Red … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Red Admiral
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ American Lady and Painted Lady
The American Lady, Vanessa virginiensis and Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui add a twinkle to any bloom they land on. Though plants and their flowers have a unique beauty of their own, the animation butterflies add is pure magic . . . not to mention their importance as pollinators.When seeing these brightly painted butterflies in the gardens, it can be hard to distinguish one from the other. Both American Lady and Painted Lady adults will go for a diverse range of nectar sources. … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ American Lady and Painted Lady
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ American Lady and Painted Lady
The American Lady, Vanessa virginiensis and Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui add a twinkle to any bloom they land on. Though plants and their flowers have a unique beauty of their own, the animation butterflies add is pure magic . . . not to mention their importance as pollinators. When seeing these brightly painted butterflies in the gardens, it can be hard to distinguish one from the other. Both American Lady and Painted Lady adults will go for a diverse range of nectar sources. Their … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ American Lady and Painted Lady
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Question Mark
The Question Mark, Polygonia interrogationis, seems to bring about many questions in regards to identification, especially in distinguishing these anglewings from their cousins Eastern Commas. I have yet to sight an Eastern Comma but was delighted to capture this Question Mark in the gardens last summer. The dash on the upper wing above a circle is a mark to look for. Thanks go out to Greg, Sue and Joe of the Massachusetts Butterfly Group for helping to identify this butterfly. I had … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Question Mark