While we've seen only two monarch butterflies so far, there has been no shortage of the lovely yellow swallowtails.
They are here in force, and have been clustering on the apple trees and lilacs while they were in bloom.
Now they cruise through the gardens, sipping nectar from Carol's flowers.
And, in a behaviour that some find odd, gathering on patches of mud near the stables. Swallowtails need access to mud -- and they adore tiny puddles. It's important to ensure that gardens have moist areas, for these and other animals that prefer to visit places that aren't dry as dust.
These were at the stable door today, where we empty the water buckets, so it's always a little bit damp around the edges.
Butterflies are called flying flowers, with good reason. These are stunning.
They have been joined by Painted Ladies, and Mourning Cloak butterflies. If you are here, take a camera, and some patience, and take yourself out to see how many you can find!
They are pretty!
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