The striking Viceroy Limenitis archippus, can be sighted in flight, here in Massachusetts, from around the end of May till the beginning of October.Birds are now searching out the overwintering, hibernating, bird droppings-like caterpillars in their neatly constructed leafy 'tents' of apples, cherry or willow leaves. Like the Red-spotted Admiral they cleverly create a hibernaculum by drawing out silk from their bodies and securing leaves to twigs or branches so that they cannot fall. The third … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Viceroy and Common Buckeye
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Viceroy and Common Buckeye
The striking Viceroy Limenitis archippus, can be sighted in flight, here in Massachusetts, from around the end of May till the beginning of October.Birds are now searching out the overwintering, hibernating, bird droppings-like caterpillars in their neatly constructed leafy 'tents' of apples, cherry or willow leaves. Like the Red-spotted Admiral they cleverly create a hibernaculum by drawing out silk from their bodies and securing leaves to twigs or branches so that they cannot fall. … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Viceroy and Common Buckeye
Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Buckeye
I was lucky to get so close to this fresh and perfect Common Buckeye as it sipped nectar from, of all plants, a hydrangea. Buckeye Junonia coenia It was a joyous June day this past summer when I captured my first ever Buckeye! These beauties do not overwinter here but fly south as our beloved Monarchs. I have read that they hold their own in comparison to the Monarchs in extravaganza, as they stream through Cape May in the Autumn. I have yet to see that fabulous display! Host … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Buckeye
Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Buckeye
I was lucky to get so close to this fresh and perfect Common Buckeye as it sipped nectar from, of all plants, a hydrangea.Buckeye Junonia coeniaIt was a joyous June day this past summer when I captured my first ever Buckeye! These beauties do not overwinter here but fly south as our beloved Monarchs. I have read that they hold their own in comparison to the Monarchs in extravaganza, as they stream through Cape May in the Autumn. I have yet to see that fabulous display!Host plants … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Buckeye
Summer Seems To Flutter By Not Quite Letting Go
The air is crisper now as the harvest moon lights up the night sky. The eclectic jungle of mine own plantings and that of natures intermingling is running wild and falling all over itself. I have only two Monarch caterpillars not yet morphed into their pupa phase, while I am daily releasing others that have fallen into their new wings. After slurping up their fill of nectar from around the gardens and dodging the dangerous beaks of birds, butterflies are flying south . . . Mexico … [Read more...] about Summer Seems To Flutter By Not Quite Letting Go
