The Taming Of The Butterflies

 Like that Shakespeare play... Only nicer.   

You may remember that I have been gushing about the Mournning Cloak abundance this year here in the Kenosha area.  ( perhaps they are abundant in other places as well....) Well,  they are unique in that they tend to be a friendly butterfly.   That is to say,  unlike most butterflies that fly away when you approach them...   Mourning cloaks tend to stay in the area and circle around you as long as you are not swating at them or trying to catch them with a net.  

Case in point:  Yesterday,  I found this beautiful GIANT SWALLOWTAIL here in Wisconsin ( Near one of my fishing spots..   For those who do not know,  these are a rare southern stray butterfly, that occasionally flies north during the summer.  ( Their food plant is citrus leaves...)  Every time I see one of these beauties,   I give chase and try to capture a picture.   This is made most challenging, because these butterflies are what they call " Horizon flyers" in that, once they feel threatened,  they fly off into the sunset!   Never to be seen again....

But I DID manage to capture a long range shot of him before he took off.   I was so pleases with this picture, I was going to blog all about just that!

 But then ...  This happened:

I noted that this guy was floating around Ladybird and I for a long time.   And I decided to see if I could get him to land on my hand.   

He was flying all around.  And kept landing on a blade of grass that could not support him...   So I held out my hand as a substitute. 

Several times, he nudged my hand or arm with his wings.

And I took many shots,,,  each time, missing the "near miss!"

But then....  This happened!

It was close enough to perfect for me.   With my crappy little phone camera. (The irony of our standards in photography is not lost on me in my own statement...)  

So I made another friend today.   This time with a butterfly!   Hey!   What is the count of wildlife things that I have been able to hold or touch this month?   Let's see:   

A Turkey.

A Chipmunk.

A nest of Baby Robins..  Oh!  Who have since left the nest!    I knew they would begin flying soon.   I'm sure the entire day of rain must of helped motivate them to leave the open roof concept.

And the countless fish that I have been releasing....   

You might think that I'm a "Dr. Doolittle" of sorts.    (There is a joke in there some where... for those who know me.)   I know some are thinking about the "Do Little" as what I have done with my life thus far.    But I was referring to the ability to observe and talk to the animals.   (More than simple communication....)  I guess that is why I gravitated to the animal kingdom more and got that Fish and Wildlife degree.    What can I say.    Some times it is a challenge to make every second count. 

Oh!  And here is an interesting video on the Awesome Mourning Cloak!   Enjoy!