No Butterflies today.

Just for a change no butterflies. Time for a kitty. I've been playing with my new flash, bouncing it off the ceiling. Bluey was a willing subject.

Bluey

Hackberry Emperor

Just as we have Spicebush Swallowtails we also have Hackberry Emperor butterflies. Probably the largest tree in the yard is a Hackberry.

Here's what a Google search came up with.

Wildlife Value

The fruit of the hackberry is popular with winter birds, especially the cedar waxwing, mockingbird and robin. The tree also attracts many butterfly species including American snout, comma, hackberry, mourning cloak, tawny emperor and question mark.

I've seen all these butterflies apart from the American Snout. I'll keep an eye out for that one.

Hackberry Emperor

Yet more butterflies

I wasn't around  when the Monarch emerged from the chrysalis but she was flying around later in the afternoon. I saw her or her relative flying around the yard this morning.

Monarch

We have loads of Spicebush in the yard so consequently we always have loads of Spicebush Swallowtails. If you rub the leaves of the spicebush you get a really nice spicy smell. The berries make Allspice and you can make tea out of the twigs or a cold tea out of the leaves in summer. Not a lot of people know that!

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail