We’re in a butterfly year that for sure challenges. Butterflies are flying, but aren’t you seeing them less often, and in reduced numbers? Don’t you work your trails thinking, ‘I miss the Eastern tailed blues, duskywings and American coppers that usually monitor me as I move along this or that trail?’ and ‘It was so much fun watching the Wood nymphs play Peek-a-Boo with me just 2 or 3 years ago!’ Totally “Missed seeing Monarchs surprise us all and come on stage” to resounding cheers, in June!
That’s the year I’m living here in ’16. Then who does this year seem to belong to, at least for now? I say, the Tiger swallowtails, Papilio glaucus. Males are almost everywhere, doing the wild and crazy swooping, diving, swerving and otherwise wild flying in search of females. Their females have certainly played hard to find, too.
Enjoy your Independence Day, and report back, won’t you?
Jeff
Winged Beauty Butterflies 
About the same here. Way too quiet on the butterfly front. Lots of yellow swallowtails but only one or two of the other species that usually abound in late spring – early summer. Only one female monarch has appeared in my yard and checked out milkweed but did not leave me any gifts. Perhaps things will pick up once my common milkweed bursts open – in full bud now and a few are starting to open.
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As always, so we wait . . . ,.
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Jeff – thanks for the wonderful, thoughtful musings and for the great photos. 🇺🇸Happy Fourth. Margaret and Paul
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