Monarch on Verbena
Are you noticing a plethora of butterflies visiting your garden, or out and about on the trails? Lately, my garden and my neighborhood in Longmont are alive with these fluttering pollinators and nectar-gatherers. Suddenly there are Monarch butterflies (one at a time) in my yard, as well as at least seven or eight other delightful species, some of them in good numbers, and some I’ve never found or noticed before. Yesterday I sighted my first Common Buckeye, a species that uses clever camouflage tactics to hide in plain sight.
Wings closed, it settled on a heavily-spined Mojave Hedgehog cactus, its muted grays and vein lines blending in remarkably well with its spiny perch. And any bird noticing it would think twice about approaching those spines. With wings outspread, this autumn visitor from the plains east of Colorado is marked with two prominent ‘eyes’ on each top and bottom wing, which presumably makes it seem larger and more fierce than it actually is. Also visiting now are many Sulfurs, especially the clouded Sulfur, which chooses to approach flowers from the underside and appears to hang, and tiny Dainty Sulfurs, plus lots of Cabbage Whites and their close relatives. The Fritillaries, Checkers and Painted Ladies have managed to appear when I don’t have my phone with me, so no pictures.
Butterflies and moths are still out there, seeking food, so fall-blooming plants are important additions to your garden. See a suggested list HERE. Native bee and wasp populations are smaller now than in summer, but many are still out and about, seeking nectar and pollen. Be sure to pay attention in the sunny parts of your garden or hiking route to see a lively cohort of butterflies and other pollinators at work.