A Whirlwind Week

Old Friends and New Bring Fall Joy

A few days here gathered up into one report of recent days...

On Wednesday, October 2, I observed only one little skipper, but Katie found a beautiful, perfect, empty chrysalis in the lantana!  That means that we have had THREE Monarchs hatch in our garden!  On Thursday, the garden was busier.  In the afternoon, a Monarch arrived, a hungry female who stayed and fed until 6:30, the latest I have seen a butterfly in the garden.   I was thrilled to catch the Monarch in flight!

A Long-tailed Skipper showed his colors, too. On Friday, a lovely Gulf Fritillary (below)  arrived  and the Long-tailed Skipper, was here also.

Saturday was a banner day!  Between noon and one o’clock we had many visitors.  The Cloudless Skipper and the Zabulon Skipper, who hasn’t been here in a while, and then a lovely Cloudless Sulphur.

All of a sudden, I saw a flash of orange across the garden.  I hardly had time to get the camera up before it flew away.  I have never seen this butterfly, a Question Mark!! We think it is the 30th species we have seen this year!

Gulf Fritillaries flew in, and I caught one in flight and Two together! The Long-tailed Skipper, was here also.  What an exciting day

On Sunday, the 6th, we had one lone Monarch; as rain threatened, she flew into a tree, below.  Monday was a completely rainy day, which was very much needed. 

 Although Tuesday the 8th started dark and gloomy, the sun came out after noon.  In the garden I was surprised to see a lovely female Monarch feeding in the lantana, below.

A Painted Lady flying everywhere but loving the Arizona Blanket Flower (above).

Finally, a Silver-spotted Skipper, left, which hasn’t been here for a few weeks; a Long-tailed Skipper; and a Clouded Skipper, right.  This was quite a gathering for October!