The robins are back, the modos (mourning doves) and titmice are calling and I’ve even seen the first green shoots from our irises and crocuses. But I wasn’t ready to declare our weird winter over until today. One of my definite harbingers of spring has made an appearance: the mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa).
This distinctive butterfly is usually the first seen here in Massachusetts, and this year is no exception. I was walking up the back driveway to our center and saw one flittering around my head. It landed briefly, but I wasn’t quick enough to get a photo.
*Deep sigh*…. I’m finally ready to welcome spring. Earlier than I expected? Definitely, but given our warm winter, I can’t say as I’m surprised that we’d be seeing signs of spring well before Ostara.
What a stunning butterfly and such a great photo as well 🙂
Thank you, but the photo isn’t mine – credits are at the end of the post. It is a beautiful butterfly; I love finding them in early spring.
That is a beautiful butterfly that I see here in WNY…I haven’t seen any butterflies, but have found a lot of insect life in the milkweed patch like grasshoppers. I hope the monarchs don’t get here before the milkweed or that as you said we have a cold spring because we have had snow in May before…Michelle
What a gorgeous butterfly. I am just catching up with last weeks Nature Notes. Beautiful photo, thanks for sharing.
I agree – the mourning cloak is a beautiful butterfly! Thanks for visiting Eileen!