It’s not the huge swarm that have hit a couple times in the past two years, but the three or four at a time groups of painted lady butterflies seem to be far more tolerant of folks standing out in the yard with cameras looking for Northern Flickers.
Two in particular were landing on the ground near me while others flittered about. They would only stay put for a few seconds, but every time they landed they were getting closer.
They were landing on the dirt, just before sunset, and didn’t seem to be landing on flowers or plants and eating.
Once on the ground they would spread their wings like this, back to the setting Sun. Warming themselves? Drying their wings?
I think they’re migrating south from the Pacific Northwest toward Mexico and Central America, according to a couple of articles about them in the local papers.
Whatever. It’s still far better to be watching them than to be watching the news and reading social media.
We Love The Stars Too Fondly 
Almost certainly replenishing their solar energy stores ready for the next leg/wing. There’s been some interesting research on black-bodied butterflies recently.
They left us long ago… I think I saw my last one some time in August. Probably in the southern Sahara now. Come back next year little ones 🙂
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