Butterflies thrive in our warm climate.
Swallowtails,
Cloudless Sulfurs,
and Gulf Fritillaries are locals.
Swallowtails mating.
Queen.
But the Monarchs are the show stoppers now.
They are a threatened species, so seeing them is a special treat.
Cheers to you from from the Southern California Flutterbyes~
Beautiful butterflies …
“a Haikuβ¦Witty Butterfly”
singing butterfly
decrees, have my wings and fly
join me in the sky
Truly lovely Ivor! How I wish I could α
Absolutely stunning butterfly collection, Cindy. Showstoppers, indeed. The lighting in your photos really enhances their beauty. The mating Swallowtail pair is something not often seen and photographed. Have you read Barbara Kingsolver’s novel “Flight Behavior”. Here’s an NPR mention: https://www.npr.org/2012/11/06/164102081/flight-behavior-weds-issues-to-a-butterfly-narrative Beautiful post, thank you for sharing your winged friends. Best, Babsje
So kind and so truly appreciated my friend. Thank you. I haven’t read Kingsolver’s novel. It sounds intriguing and I am always looking for good new books, so thank you for the suggestion. I will check it out α
You’re welcome. Kingsolver is a national treasure IMO. Her novel “Prodigal Summer” is better than Flight Behavior, but lacks the Butterfly connection. Enjoy!
I read constantly but I never got into her. I will look again.
Some isn’t my thing – a friend loved The Poisonwood Bible but I couldn’t get into it. I enjoyed High Tide in Tucson, a very early book with a scientific bent.
Poisonwood is the one I read part of. I shouldn’t dismiss an author based on one book though.
For the life of me I still can’t understand why my friend liked Poisonwood. To each her own! We’re still good friends but don’t share books now.
Beautiful shots Cindy!
The top picture struck me as being a bit odd for a Monarch? So I looked it up. Both of those butterflies are the Queen Butterfly. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_(butterfly)
They look very similar to a Monarch but the tops of the wings have white spots.
Yes. Thank you Wayne. You’re right. They are so similar and are the only two members of the same subfamily, danainae, present here. They both eat milkweed, carry the same toxins, and mimic each other to avoid bird predators α
You are so lucky – there’s hardly anything out here anymore.
That is so sad. We have tons of butterfly attracting plants so that helps a lot α
The butterfly is sunning Cindy. I hope it survives mans stupidity and increases in numbers until it’s no longer at risk..
Massive Hugs
I hope so too David & thank you my friend α
Beautiful!
Grazie mille α
Very beautiful butterfly photos, Cindy! I saw something on TV a while back about the Monarch’s winter destination in Mexico (I think) being torn down by drug lords. So disgusting!
Yes. Horrible. Millions congregate there. I haven’t seen it in person only in videos. Absolutely amazing. α
Such lovely creatures well captured, Cindy! Over here on the East coast, we are having one of the best years for monarchs in a long time. A few more good years might see this beautiful species off the threatened list. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?!
Yes it would be wonderful. I am not seeing as many here as I used to. When I was young they would be everywhere this time of year. α
Gorgeous captures Cindy, they are such beautiful artwork, yet so fragile and transient, I guess they will be all laying their eggs before they move into the next part of their cycle.
Thank you. They are so amazing. I have planted so many butterfly attracting plants over the years, and it is working. I love having them around α
Fab all around.
Yet, nothing aces your Monarch!
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They are special! α
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Lovely capture, Cindy. Thank you.
You are most welcome Rebecca. Stay safe & well my friend α
Gorgeous butterflies, thanks for photographing and posting these wonderful pictures, Cindy x
Awww….. you are so welcome Polly α
Ahhβ¦looks like Iβm having my bread this morning with lots of butter-flies! Lol!
ββ ( ΰΉΰ₯ΛΜΆβ‘βΛΜΆΰΉΰ₯)ββ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Laughing…….( ΰΉΰ₯ΛΜΆβ‘βΛΜΆΰΉΰ₯)
(ββΜ΄ΜΝβΏβΜ΄ΜΝβ)*β²οΎ*ｑββ‘ΰ½Ό
Great shots of wonderful flutterbys!
So happy you enjoyed them Rebecca & thank you α
What a lovey collection of butterfly photos! Fantastic captures and of course the monarchs are so special (I noted Wayneβs comment above). I hope they are able to make a comeback. Cheers, Lynette
Thank you Lynette. I hope their numbers improve too. It seems quite dire still. α
Yes, it certainly does. I only saw one this summer.
So sad.
Gorgeous!
Alison π
Merci beaucoup mon Ami Alison α
Wow. An awesome collection of beautiful butterflies. πππ
Thank you Michael α
Welcome. My pleasure.
αα
Fantastic. I’ve been watching them today in La Jolla.
My home town……. They are gorgeous aren’t they α
Love these winged beauties, Cindy!
So glad you do & thank you Sandy α
You are most welcome.
αα
Stunning photographs of beautiful butterflies, Cindy. I am looking forward to the arrival of butterflies here once summer finally decides to visit for a while.
I look forward to seeing what you see Anne! α
Lovely photos, I like also the combination of the beautiful butterflies and the colors of the flowers. Thank you for sharing. LG Marie
Thank you more for your very kind appreciation Marie & cheers to you α
Amazing and beautiful creatures and you truly accentuate their magnificence with your smashing good photography!
So very kind Francisco and so appreciated too. Thank you my friend & take good care α
Youβre very welcome Cindy and all the best!
ααα
Really enjoying these butterfly moments.
So happy you did & thanks for letting me know α
Absolutely stunning as always Cindy.. fabulous β₯
You are such a thoughtful person Sally αα
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
As always Cindy Knoke captures nature in all its stunning glory.. This week butterflies, such delicate creatures but essential to the environment.. head over to enjoy.
Friends like you are why I keep on blogging. Thank you so much Sally and stay safe & well α
It would be a very sad day if you weren’t blogging Cindy β₯
Awwww ααα
More of your amazing photos Cindy
Awww……. Honored. Thank you very much Sheree α
Youβre very welcome Cindy
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Beautiful colors on these little guys π
They are gorgeous aren’t they α
Such delicate beauty youβve captured
Grazie mille Ruth α
Wow!!! Beautiful butterfly pictures!
Honored! Thank you very much α
They are so delicate and fabulously beautiful
I <3 my friends who <3 flutterbyes α
Gorgeous. Could watch them for hours.
Thank you Darlene. They have this lazy way of floating through the garden from flower to flower that is very relaxing to watch α
The Monarchs have always been my favorite. We get a lot of them in areas by the coast.
I remember them migrating by the thousands years ago. Now I am lucky to see a few. α
I’ve heard from another California blogger that Monarchs are endangered there.
They are, seriously so.
What a shame. I assume humans have played a role in this?
Oh yes they have. Eastern Monarch populations have declined by 80%. Here is a link for you:
https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/invertebrates/monarch_butterfly/
I just read the article. The threat to the monarches is truly shocking. I didn’t realize it was that bad.
Yes. It is terrible. I grew up with them, obscuring my windshield as I drove.
I love your flutterbyes! Wonderful captures on all of them. I try but the sulfers and swallowtails around my garden just won’t be still long enough for me to take their picture.
They are easier for me to photograph on tall blooms, because they aren’t alarmed by my presence way up high α
Amazing to get a photo of butterflies mating…wow! All such beautiful creatures.
So very happy you enjoyed & thank you for letting me know! α
Gorgeous! Just saw for the first time Grey Buckeyes in our gardenβthank you for sharing that information.
You are most welcome. Seeing them is a big thrill isn’t it! They really are beautiful, but the light has to be just right to see the depth of coloration. α
Yes it is a thrill! π¦
http://growingupsideways.blog/2021/10/16/and-for-a-moment/
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How fantastic Cindy. All very sharp and well taken
Most appreciated Diana. Thank you very much & cheers to you α
I love the pictures and might surprise you, when I tell you the yellow one, is my favorite. We call them “Zitronenfalter/Lemon butterfly.” I always thought they brought so much color into the green outside world.
They are so beautiful aren’t they. Often they are hard to photograph because their color tends to wash out in bright sunlight. I love them too. I have photos of them lined up on a branch α
I can’t wait to see it. I might (will guaranteed) ‘borrow’ it for my screensaver.
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Wow! The variety of beautiful butterflies you have been able to capture is impressive, Cindy.
Honored you think so. Thank you Peter & cheers to you α
Beautiful, Cindy. Do you grow plants to attract them? We are starting to plant some.
Oh, yes, we landscaped The Holler about 14 years ago and everything is a blooming attractor for bees, butterflies and birds. I encourage you to plant them. They are beautiful plants and the visitors are so beautiful too α
I love your “flutterbyes” Cindy! So many creatures and aspects of nature are at risk due to humans. Uggh.
It is an ugly reflection of us isn’t it. We need to have the courage to look in the mirror. So pleased you love the flutters Brad α
Beautiful “flutterbyes”! Thanks for sharing… π¦
Thank you more for your thoughtful appreciation Bette & take good care α
What a marvellous collection of butterflies! Love them all!
Awww…… You make me happy I posted them! α
Hi, Cindy – wondrous!
Reminded me of a younger first cousin who called them flutterbyes when she first learned to talk! Hadn’t heard the term in years, decades probably, but your flutterbyes are incredible! Cheers to you from South Carolina!
Yep, my kids named them this and I call flamingos, flaming-goes, because that was their name as well! Cheers back to you dear friend α
Oh, I love those Flutterbys! <3
Have a good time, and stay safe, dear Cindy!
Thank you very much dear friend & the same to you αα
Oh, Cindy, you must have the patience of a saint … and a silent camera! Whenever I see butterflies here, I always want to snap their picture, but they must “spook” at Monkey’s presence. Guess I’ll have to look for them when he’s otherwise occupied. Beautiful photos!
Thanks very much Debbie and yes, Monkey might well be a bit of a deterrent, butterfly wise! α
So wonderfully beautiful! I have many flowers to attract them, but we don’t have the climate for such big beauties. Enjoyed this immensely. And I agree with others – it is a hopeless task to photograph them…are you hiding?
Thank you so much Leya, very much appreciated. We too planted acres of attractive plants and it appears to be working. Some flutters are extremely flighty, while others are more mellow, just like people I guess! α
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The last picture is stunning – I feel I am being looked at π
I think you are! Thank you α
Gorgeous, Cindy. I would forever be watching butterflies. Thanks for sharing these!
Thank you more for your kind appreciation & cheers to you α
Absolutely beautiful closeups Cindy. Aren’t they just spectacularly beautiful. <3
Yes they are. Fragile, beautiful and strong α
Gorgeous. <3
Merci beaucoup mon Ami α
Most welcome <3
Beautiful flutterbies, Cindy (that’s what I call them, too). Sad to know Monarchs are threatened.
I agree with you Terri. It is very sad α
Love, love, love!
I <3 my friends who <3 butterflies α
I watched a huge buttercup yellow butterfly as it navigated around the outside of the house a couple of days ago. Seemed to be on a mission.
I’m sure scientists must have studied the patterns of their flying, landing and sampling, but to me they look like shoppers on a big sale day, picking up a bit of this, and a lot of that! π
I like that!!!
π
Perfect pictures – again – of gorgeous butterflies.
Ahhh……so appreciated! Thank you & cheers α
I often think of them as flutterbys, but have not anyone else call them that!
Now, we both can call them this!!! αα
I love them all.
I <3 my friends who <3 butterflies α
<3
Hello cindy, those are fantastic photos. Greetings to the States. Wolfgang
Greetings back to you and thank you for your most thoughtful comment α
Not only birds but butterflies too love your paradise. π
They go where the flowers are! α
Beautiful photos!
Thank you very much Sharon.
St Martin’s in the Caribbean is particularly atttractive to the Monarchs.
I would love to see that α
Flutterbyes are my favorite thing to watch. I love going to butterfly gardens. I took hundreds of photos at the one in Victoria BC when I was there, twice. π I could have stayed all week. I planted for them too. Thanks so much for the beautiful photos.
Thank you more for appreciating our fluttery-friends Marlene & stay safe and well my friend α
More beauties, love them. β₯
I <3 my friends who <3 butterflies α
Gorgeous post, Cindy. Thank you
You are most welcome John & cheers to you α
π
Our butterflies have already moved on with the hard freezes having arrived.
Amazing to think of such fragile creatures migration such distances α
I like your word “Flutterbyes”, and your photos are awesome, as usual.
Thank you very much. Most appreciated α
Such a mesmerising clicks!
So happy you enjoyed them & thank you α
Wonderful photos!!
Honored. Thank you very much & lovely to meet you α
Lovely to meet you too!
Doesn’t seeing a butterfly make everyone feel good? Your photos are the next best thing, Cindy. I was always told by my husband’s family from Pennsylvania, that it was the Pennsylvania Dutch who called butterflies ‘flutterbyes’. The phrase makes perfect sense.
And all this time, I thought my kids made it up! Do the Pennsylvania Dutch call flamingos, flaming-goes too????? That was another from my kids π π
No, your kids didn’t make it up. And doesn’t it make more sense to say flutterby? I can’t confirm or deny flaming-goes. π
It certainly does, flaming-goes is better too!
Yes, it does!
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Beautiful
Grazie mille! α
Hi Cindy, somehow I missed this post. These photographs are simply beautiful!
You have probably been unfollowed from me by WP! Everyone else has, some multiple times. Smiling….. Thank you sincerely Charles α
Lovey, do you see the birds and butterflies near your home?
Oh yes, we live on a pomegranate orchard adjacent to a wildlife preserve so we have all kinds of wildlife here. α
Beutiful colorsπ€©
Thank you!
This and the previous post — beautiful butterfly photos. Well done.
Thank you so much. Much appreciated & cheers to you α
Your photos are beautiful! π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦
Ahhh, thank you very much α
You are so welcome
<3 <3
What a wonderful, whimsical name for these beauties! My five acres here in Ontario, Canada we call Butterfly Acres is filled with Monarchs every season for the last 24 years owing to our large population of milkweed that grows all on its own without any new plantings. We get the Swallowtails and Painted Ladies and lots of other little flutterbyes, too. Gorgeous photos!
It sounds wonderful! They are a joy in the garden. We used to get a lot of monarchs, but only a few each year now which is really sad α
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos!
Thank you for your very kind appreciation α
Lepidoptera love! π¦π
I <3 my friends who <3 flutterbyes! α
Beautiful butterfly photos Cindy. Years ago I went to a woodland in Santa Cruz where the monarchs were supposed to hang out, but there weren’t any! Seems the extra cold weather had sent them further south – very disappointing!
I liked it. Have you clicked the photos?
O wow .. this is beautiful
Very pleased you enjoyed & thank you α
I donβt know much about butterflies but I just love how different each of these species appear. Not only in color and pattern but even their body structures.
Yes. Yet another miracle of nature α
Wonderful photos. They are so cute, you’re lucky for having them around. π π
Happy you enjoyed them & thanks for stopping by! α