It's actually been quite warm here in Scotland for the past few days. The butterflies obviously think the weather is now good enough to come out of hibernation so I managed to get a shot of this one today. Hopefully, it's the first of many as I do love to see the butterflies returning after a long winter.
I totally adore butterflies, but have been lazy about learning what's what and who's who. I've learned a few species... but "commas" and "question marks"?
Lucky you, I thought I saw one today on a hike in the woods but it must have been a leaf fluttering from tree...wishful thinking.
I have a Question Mark in my yard every year, haven't seen one yet though. Cheryl, the name Question Mark and Comma come from the fact that on the under side of the wing is either Question Mark shape or a Comma shape. From the upper side they look almost exactly the same, but if you catch one at rest with the wings folded up you will see one of the marks. Question Marks are common in the eastern U.S. including Texas....Commas are common in the western U.S. And obviously they are both common in other parts of the world. One of the best websites for looking up butterfly information in the U.S. is http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/
I know you were happy to see that pretty butterfly, Eileen! I'm surprised to see that little bit of dirt he is sitting on -- I figured you had so much snow this winter, it would cover the ground until June! I'm glad that's not the case. Here's to many more butterflies from this point on.
Okay... one of the things on top of my list this year is to learn the names of the butterflies that visit. So Toni... I bookmarked that site. I'm probably going to wear out the flooring coming in and out of the house trying to ID them!
It looks as though the butterfly is sipping a bit of moisture from the earth in the pot? And like the others, so glad to hear you are getting some warmer weather, and that the butterflies are returning. I know so little about them in other parts of the world, except for South American species. TY for that link Toni. I will make use of it as well.
