5 Butterfly Species in 1 hour!

Despite the "coolish temperatures" on Thursday afternoon, I saw a total of 32 butterflies! The Red Admiral was the most abundant species with 24 individuals and they were staying on the sheltered, sunny side of slopes. They are typically a migrant, but some years they fly so early, the most likely explanation is that they overwintered as adults in Ontario.

If you look carefully, 3 individual Red Admirals are resting on the tree bark. Sap was dripping from Yellow-bellied Sapsucker holes.

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers drill into living trees. Sap dripping down the bark from their holes attracts insects. The Sapsucker returns and eats the insects that are drinking sap from the holes it made. A Red Admiral appears to be brave (or foolish) as it flies past this female Sapsucker.

Gray Comma, resting in the sunshine.

When I first viewed this Mourning Cloak, I thought it was a dark leaf sitting in the grass.

Mourning Cloak, wings open: Spreading their wings helps butterflies to warm their bodies. They are dependent upon external heat sources, such as the sun to stay warm.

American Lady, one of 3!

A Northern Spring Azure takes a break on one of the few remaining flowering Bloodroot plants.