Three butterflies that overwinter as adults. Snuggled down in crevices of tree bark or in leaf litter. Perhaps the leaf litter in your gardens. That is IF you’ve left the leaf litter there in your yard as a potential sanctuary from the freezing cold of winter.
Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
All three of these butterflies spend the winter as adults in a dormant state hiding from the chill of winter. Either under leaf litter, in a crevice of tree bark or some other place it might find to escape the cold. On any particularly warm day you might find one of these butterflies out enjoying the warmth only to return until winter has completed its progression through the calendar.
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2 responses to “Hiding Away During The Winter”
Brenda, I took Spanish with you. Sorry to hear that you had some surgery and hope you’re recovering quickly. I enjoy your daily postings. It was your husband who told me about them when I met him and Anna’s husband at a pub. I have been taking lots of closeups myself. I have converted a hay field to pollinator meadow and am continually amazed at what shows up. I’d love to hear from you.
Hi Tom! I’m so pleased that you’re reading my posts now. I am totally enthralled by the world of nature – so many things to blow my mind! Good for you to have converted that hay field into a pollinator meadow! Photography is a great way to go, unless you have a much better memory than I have. Those pictures allow me to come home and figure out what I’ve taken pictures of!!
My knee surgery is my second total knee replacement. I’m so glad that I’m not a spider and have only 2 knees! It’s been 2 wks now since this 2nd surgery and little by little, things are getting better. I have great hopes that this will allow me to get back on the trails up here on my mountains putting in lots of miles.
Tom, thank you so very much for reaching out to me. I’m hoping YOU are well!
Bren