Muddle Or Puddle?

While fishing in Canada recently my pal Braumeister and I observed a vast number of Tiger Swallowtail butterflies taking flight just about everywhere.

It was stunning as I had never observed them in large numbers in Wisconsin.

Then there was this...

On the shoreline of the lake were were fishing was a gathering of swallowtails that were feasting-upon the salts and minerals in the sandy cobbled beach.

This behavior is called a puddle and north woods beaches are known to draw large numbers of butterflies that gather to absorbed needed salts.

Just about every species of butterfly engages in the habit of puddling.  I've observed small numbers alight-upon the damp soil of my garden to partake.  And when we had Labrador retrievers the monarch butterflies were fond of dining on fresh dog turds.

This was quite an amazing congregation to observe.

If you find yourself on an inland lake or Great Lakes shoreline be sure to cast an observant eye for more of the the same.

Dispatch From The Butterfly Ranch

caterpillar is in center - click on image for a closer look

From our walk today were many things of nature. Significant was this.         

The monarch butterflies that blew in on the winds out of the southwest over Memorial Day weekend completed their courtship ritual. Later, eggs were laid on the emergent milkweed. This year’s first class of recruits has hatched and larvae are all over the joint.         

And a battle-scarred eastern tiger swallowtail sat still long enough for a photo. They’ve been back for several weeks too.          

The Butterfly Ranch is back in business.       

Screw the coronavirus.....