November 9th, 2011

Just before the arrival of the afternoon class (and the rain) I was gazing above the meadow watching a Red-tailed Hawk drifting towards the east, when a tiny colourful speck caught my eye.  I quickly looked at my wrist-watch to confirm the date – November 9th.  Lifting my head back up, I relocated it.   And with a slight grin on my face I made a mental note of the second latest active butterfly during my history at the Centre.  It was a Common Sulphur.  While it is a very common species, one does not expect to see butterflies as mid-November approaches.  Most have died with the cool, frosty nights or simply due to lack of food availability.  I visually scanned the area to see if I could find any blossoms that had survived the same weather conditions – a single dandelion, its flower partially withered, was all I could see.  With the forecast looking like more seasonal temperatures for tomorrow and beyond, I think that will be my last butterfly sighting of 2011.

The bus pulled in the parking lot as the lone survivor flew out of sight, but I took solace with the idea that I would only have to wait 4 months before butterflies were active again.  Yes, mid-March to early April will be the first emerging Mourning Cloaks for 2012… but that is another story ; )

This sulphur was photographed in the meadow a few years ago in Sept.