I put a bag of composted cotton bolls around some newly transplanted poppies, and gave the area a good soaking. As soon as I was done, a pair of two-tailed swallowtails arrived and settled onto the compost.
Can you see that long proboscis? The butterfly wasn’t looking for nectar, or for fresh water. It wanted that dank old compost water.
Here’s another probocis shot. This butterfly was working it for a long time. He pushed and poked with his probocis, angling to get more of that compost juice.
A second one arrived, and the two of them stayed close together and seemed to thoroughly enjoy their treat.
I’m sure I’ll get over this fascination with probocises at some point, but here’s two at once. And look how segmented that antennae is!
They flew off together, circling each other, and then they were gone.
One year in Oct. the Monarchs flew through our yard on their way south.
Howeever do you get these lovely pictures? Interesting they find the compost juice such a delicacy.
I’ve always wanted to travel to that small area in Mexico where they migrate in the winter and cling to the trees by the hundreds.
mum-bear
Those swallowtail photos are truly delightful - what a treat!! Thanks so much for sharing them. I learn an awful lot from your site (i.e. the river ‘tutorial’, beavers, chickens, etc.) - it’s so much fun to read what’s next. Thanks.
Absolutely STUNNING pictures!!! We get those around here, too, but I’ve certainly never been able to photograph them like this. Beautiful!