Rotting fruit, sap flows on trees, and even bird droppings. The favorite foods of the Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta. If the Red Admiral can’t find these it will sip flower nectar from Common Milkweed, Red Clover, Aster, and Alfalfa and more.
The dropping Persimmons here on my mountain have been a bigtime draw for these beautiful butterflies, and Coma and Question Mark butterflies. Try putting out some extra ripe fruits to see if some of these butterflies will come by for a visit.
4 responses to “Red Admiral”
We’ve had no rain for quite awhile….until yesterday. Glorious rain! So last week my husband laid out the sprinkler for a new grass seeded area. Hardly ever use the thing but I was out in the yard and I decided to start moving it around. Moved it to around my Mandarin Orange tree and I sat on my front steps because I knew if I went in the house I’d forget I left it on. HA enter old age. Well darned if a common yellow butterfly came to land on the leaves for the water. I enjoyed watching that grateful butterfly for I bet 10 minutes and then he was off to another location.
Hi Bonnie,
So nice to hear from you. I’m in the middle of a very dry Virginia. Some areas are more dry than I am. I’m wondering if it is the mountains that perhaps squeeze a bit more rain out of the atmosphere and other areas get. Seems to be happening in so many places. My Mom is in Citrus County Florida and is having dry dry dry weather as well. I try not to *wish* for rain, since I know that when it happens it will likely be flooding rain. Ugh.
I seldom use a sprinkler either. I appreciate your comment about “old age” since I’m familiar with that malady as well! One thing I find VERY helpful is a timer, to use as a reminder, so long as I can remember why I set it!!
Lucky you, to get to watch that very happy butterfly quenching its thirst. Isn’t Mother Nature wonderful!
May you get replenished with rain, a little bit at a time!
Brenda
I saw a beautiful comma butterfly before heading to Paradise South. I still remember when I lived in Clayton, there was an influx of Red Admirals! They were fluttering all over the town. It was special. I so appreciate your eye for beautiful things.
Hi Kathy!
So glad you are back to your warm winter home again. From reports from my Mom, you’re really dry and warm there. But that is what Florida is all about, right?!!
I appreciate that you take the time to read my posts. I am hoping I can keep up with them and not let my attention get switched to other things again, as time goes by.
An influx of Red Admirals! That must have been marvelous. Back in the 90s, two years in a row, I got to witness Monarchs passing over our mountain. For several days a moment didn’t go by when there wasn’t at least one of those precious buggers flying north to south. How splendid nature is!!
Enjoy your time in your magical world, whether North or South! 💚
Bren