October 2017 Sightings

Not seen here since 2013, an unexpected surprise of a White M Hairstreak -yard species #41 for 2017- found nectaring on fruit in the afternoon. Monarch count 40's in the AM kept building all day long. I'd estimate over 200 before evening with roosts in the Cherry tree. Black Swallowtail caterpillars and chrysalis continue as do Monarch. 1 Monarch eclosed today.

[This is our first white-m since Oct 8. Our late date for the species is 11/9/2011. In only two of our ten years have we found the species still flying in November. Will we find one this year? jc]

Butterflies were moving through Cape May CH , also.

10 AM sunny, calm, 55* but warm in the sun. Cabbage whites on zinnias, painted ladies on butterfly bush

9:30 am, sunny, calm, 55*. Monarchs taking advantage of sun's warmth and no wind feeding on goldenrod or flying south

Saw a Monarch each place moving toward the south.

Sleepy Orange colony has pretty much gone to bed and concluded its flight. One individual though was still working low in the grasses and senna edges.

Glad I packed 2 spots in my garden with annuals (Mexican Sunflowers, Zinnias, Tropical Milkweed); now that the sun's path has moved, these spots are the ONLY sunny spots in my perennial garden in late fall. The nonstop blooming annuals in these sunny spots are paying off for late season butterflies. Even coming to still-blooming salvias.

About 10 AM, 63*, calm, sunny

Around noon, 68*, sunny and warm, light breeze. Patches of seaside goldenrod and 1 blue mist flower attracted butterflies

Most of my garden is dedicated to Hummingbirds so this time of year butterfly numbers fall off yet today I had a good number of Monarchs, some still mating.
A very fresh Cloudless Sulphur spent the day feeding on my numerous salvia greggii.

There was a praying mantis consuming a fresh Monarch.

Flushed a Cabbage White and two Common Buckeyes out of a downtown vacant lot.

Sunny, 70's with winds 7 MPH but winds picked up late afternoon. Monarchs continue in great numbers - est 180 front yard and 130 back yard done in a grid count. Jack Miller helped with the front yard count. Garden still has many nectar plants but did see several monarchs on the fruit today. Black Swallowtail cat continues on Curly Parsley

The Magnificent Monarch. The poster bug for all butterflies and the one almost everyone knows. Today during the pouring rain I had 3 Monarchs working the backyard. They were at it for over 4 hours and seemed oblivious to the weather.
One just has to marvel at the Magnificent Monarch

Found two Common Buckeyes in a rain storm. The air was warm.
Photos of a buckeye on a wet leaf and weathering in a deciduous tree during rain.

Rain off and on all day with some winds but clearing for about an hr at noon when some of the Monarchs left their roosts to nectar on some of the Lantana, Milkweed, and hag onto the front yard cannas. Some images taken.

One Monarch was recorded by Chris.

Flushed two buckeyes early in the morning.

Last monarch raised of 2017. Went into chrysalis on Oct. 8th and hatched on 10/29–released on 10/30.

A Monarch and two Painted Ladies were visiting this garden.

Saw my only skipper of the day here. It was a fresh female Sachem.

A Monarch was spotted here.

Severe sustained winds all night (thought the roof might come off) and lasting until noon today. Now about 15-20 MPH, sunny, low 50's. Black Swallowtail cats #5. All look viable. Monarchs mostly in the protected backyard. They come down to feed low to the ground and sun themselves. Many plants with wind damage. Digital images of all butterflies except American Lady.

The Monarchs were visiting Mexican Sunflowers and the Painted Ladies attended Lavender flowers.

A strong late flight of Red Admirals continues with many fresh individuals seen again today.

About 75 Monarchs out sunning on the Cheery tree about 9 AM. (my yard is now blocked from early AM sun by 3 story house being built behind me.) Mid-afternoon RH was here and tagged 44 Monarchs before leaving. Throughout the day Monarchs were leaving and heading South.

Mostly Sunny windy 55.

Monarchs are still moving southward through the area.

Three species of dragonflies, spring peepers and at least 20 cricket frogs made this a spooky Halloween trip.