Mourning Cloak ButterflyThe gift of a warm, sunny day in winter can be twofold. While enjoying a woodland walk in January, February, March or April you may just chance upon the flight of one of our overwintering butterflies. Warm temperatures awaken these creatures from their winter hideouts beneath loose bark or in tree cavities. These early butterflies take flight, surprising many a hiker! Who expects to see butterflies in winter?
The mourning cloak and the tortoiseshell are two types of butterflies that spend the winter as adults. Awakening early in the year, they are ready to take advantage of the first spring flowers and of the flowing sap from sapsucker sap wells or from tapped maple trees.
These unexpected beauties may make you catch your breath with wonder. I've already had the pleasure of spotting a tortoiseshell cavorting on a hillside during my Kentucky trip last week. I will keep my eyes open for a flutter in the trees on all my walks coming up. You do the same.
The mourning cloak and the tortoiseshell are two types of butterflies that spend the winter as adults. Awakening early in the year, they are ready to take advantage of the first spring flowers and of the flowing sap from sapsucker sap wells or from tapped maple trees.
These unexpected beauties may make you catch your breath with wonder. I've already had the pleasure of spotting a tortoiseshell cavorting on a hillside during my Kentucky trip last week. I will keep my eyes open for a flutter in the trees on all my walks coming up. You do the same.
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