Butterfly sightings for September 2009

Took a picture of this Chickweed Geometer, one of many that frequent my property.

One of the cabbage whites was very worn, as seen in the photo.

Butterflies love the blooming oregano.

Beautiful day but no Monarchs.

We went to Sandhill late in the afternoon, so I didn't expect to see many butterflies. The highlight of the trip was seeing a pair of Trumpeter Swans and two juveniles.

The Giant Swallowtail is the first I've ever seen in Wood County. Its forewings were tattered and its hindwings almost nonexistent, but it didn't seem to have any trouble flying. It was difficult to photograph as it never stopped fluttering and didn't stay in one place for very long. It nectared for quite some time on the Phlox in my garden. The
Black Swallowtail caterpillar was feeding on Water Hemlock, Cicuta maculata, and is the only Black Swallowtail I've seen this year.

The viceroy was one of the smallest I have ever seen.

The most Downy Gentians I have ever seen in one spot. Also an uncommon introduced plant in Wisconsin, Argemone albiflora Hornem. subsp. albiflora (prickly poppy).

I haven't been out much lately but by all accounts things are pretty dead up here right now with very few butterflies out and about this past month...

Surprise of the Day! Varigated Frit and a Black Swallowtail. Numbers way down since last visit. More sulphurs than we could ID.

I was scouting for SWBA's field trip tomorrow. Lots of asters.

Beautiful day!

Little happening but nice to find Variegated Frit up here and the Pink-edged Sulphur was gorgeous. Also had Bronzed Tiger Beetles.

It seemed that the further I walked, the fewer butterflies I saw.

I was hoping for photos but got very few because the butterflies spent very little time nectaring.

This was a train ride into the Tiffany Wildlife Area with over 60 people participating.

Noted flying overhead while enjoying the annual Willy Street Fair.

Also saw a stunning blue and black stripped dragonfly.

The beetle was photographed on Sept 27 in the town of Cranmoor.

Not a great day for butterflis but the monarchs were out. Saw 8 at Olbrich and 3 at Oakwood Village on the west side of Madison. Also saw a Hummingbird at Olbrich!

Might be the last butterfly I see for a while given the forecast. Interestingly, it was very fresh.

Sunny, 55 degrees, no wind. Very happy to see one Painted Lady basking in the sun.

These were seen shortly after 5 pm. There was a hard frost last night, so a slow season will probably get even slower.