I finally did it! I finally got a good picture of a butterfly. It was one of the first things I saw when I entered the forest of the nature preserve. I was only going to take a quick walk through the place just so I could be out there today, but I found things like this butterfly!This particular type of butterfly is called a Mourning Cloak. It's a pretty common kind of butterfly. I know I've seen this type before, but now I get to examine it whenever I want. I read that a caterpillar of one of these is black with red spots on it's back, and it also has shiny black spines that can sting you if you touch it. The butterfly is pretty harmless though.
As I was walking through the forest this three inch wide butterfly flew across the trail, then landed just behind me. It waited there on the forest floor long enough for me to get several shots. When I moved to get another angle it quickly flew away. I'm happy it waited long enough for me to get these pictures though.
I was surprised to find butterflies out in the forest this early in the spring, but I read later that these butterflies are commonly found this time of year. They actually wait out the winter, so they can come out early. I guess that's why they can take this cool weather.I'm glad they can handle the cold, because we're about to get our last snowstorm here until next winter. I think it will be the last, but it's going to be big. Our temperature is also going to drop to make it seem like winter. This will last until the end of the week.
When it all happens, I'm going to completely ignore it. I'm not a weatherman and I'm done with snow, so I'm going to pretend it doesn't exist. I'll go about my routine days without ever thinking about it. I'll be thinking about butterflies instead.
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We too are supposed to be cold this week. It makes me grateful for work so I can't dwell on it. ;o)
ReplyDeleteGreat picture of the butterfly. From what I have read, they can be difficult to photograph. I can't wait to see some myself to test it out myself.
Nature is so interesting
ReplyDeleteThe butterfly can camouflage so well blending into the environment.
Ratty you see Spring is here. I love butterflies but like you say they are hard to capture.
ReplyDeleteWell done nice shot.
The beauty of nature is that it's always filled with life, night and day throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful picture. One of your best...
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful...he looks BIG, too!
ReplyDeleteI love the background of the leaves against his color.
Great job, Ratty!!
It is much more difficult to take pictures of butterfly in the wild than in a farm. You should have inhaled nature so much for the butterfly to mistakenly think you are the same kind.
ReplyDeleteWow, great pic! Yes, the mourning cloaks come out early. I like how it looks so natural against the brown leaves, and of course, it is!
ReplyDeleteKallen305 - Any distraction can help, but the best one is knowing that this cold won't last long.
ReplyDeleteI usually have a terrible time getting a photo of butterflies, this one just happened to land in just the right place.
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Roentarre - These mourning cloaks camouflage very well. Seeing this one was very interesting for me.
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Mike - I was really surprised that it waited so long, enabling me to get the picture.
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Yeo Kee Hui - I totally agree. I think it's that feeling of life that gives me peace when I'm in a forest.
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Kruel - Thanks, the butterfly may be the one responsible though.
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The Retired One - I think this was the biggest butterfly I've seen so far this year. I think the butterfly did me a favor by stopping on those leaves for me.
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Rainfield - I got lucky with this one. Maybe inhaling nature is how to do it. You know, I was wearing similar colors as the butterfly when it stopped.
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Sharkbytes - Until I started seeing them I thought I'd have to wait until summer to see any butterflies. I was at first worried that the leaves would obscure it.
Score! Those are good butterfly pictures, very pretty against the dark leaves.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Barrette - Thanks, the butterfly did a great job in letting me have them.
ReplyDeleteGlad you finally got one - they are certainly hard to get! Always flitting around and moving their wings even when they don't fly away.
ReplyDeleteHope springs come your way to stay!
KML - It took me a long time to do it. They're hard to get, but I hope I have more success this year.
ReplyDeleteI think spring will be here to stay by next week. Winter doesn't want to leave, but it can't quite get ahold of us again either.
We took pictures yesterday of the same Mourning Cloak Butterfly at our family Easter. We were suprised that they were out this early. We were in Gratiot County by Ashley.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - I was surprised they were out so early too, until I found out it's normal for them. I always thought butterflies were summer creatures.
ReplyDeleteI came across your lovely photo as I was looking up background info for my own photo - looks great & thanks
ReplyDeleteA M Dohan - I'm glad I could help. I've found some of my favorite sites the same way. :)
ReplyDeleteI really like the things about the Mourning Cloak Butterfly!
ReplyDeleteMe, too! I am a big mourning cloak fan. They give me hope in the early spring that I am going to be overrun with them in my garden and at Hill-Stead before long. So far this year, mouring cloak, compton tortoiseshell, cabbage white, eastern comma and spring azure! Cheers to everyone, Diane Tucker (Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, CT)
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - Thank you. I plan on doing a few more butterfly stories in the near future.
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Diane - These mourning cloaks are the first butterflies I've been able to get any pictures of so far. There have been so many of them that it's been easy. Not so for all the others.
My house is covered with mourning cloak caterpillars and cocoons. There are so many! At least 60. We have seen quite a few come out of their cocoons and sit there to dry their wings for a couple of hours. Great timing to get a real close up look at it. I have lived at this house for 18 years, and this has only happened once before, but I was too young to remember it. Its amazing to have the chance to walk outside and see this species in every pupal stage!!!
ReplyDeleteLeslie - I've been able to see a lot of the butterflies, but never anything else. I've seen pictures and descriptions of the caterpillars, and they look beautiful, but not something to mess with. You're very lucky to get to see the whole life cycle in action.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture Ratty, we don't have this kind in the U.K. Normally butterflies fly off before I have chance to take a picture. I think the best chance is while they're on a flower, as long as you don't let your shadow fall over them.
ReplyDeleteLast month I saw a few brimstone butterflies, but didn't manage to get a picture :-(
John - Butterflies made me crazy last year. I couldn't get any at all. This is the first one that made it easy for me. I have a few others now. I guess the butterflies have been lazy over here recently. :)
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