the hunt continues …

Yesterday I went to three of my favorite places to find and photograph butterflies — Sayen Gardens, Davidson Pond, and Farrington Lake — in Mercer and Middlesex Counties. I was extremely surprised that I didn’t find one monarch. It was the strangest thing. One year there were literally hundreds of monarch butterflies at Davidson Pond, but I didn’t have my camera with me (yes, I nearly cried). In years past, at the very least there were six to ten. This year, nothing. Maybe it’s the extreme heat and humidity. It certainly looks prime, with many butterflies bushes in full bloom, blue skies, sunny.
This morning I got up earlier and went out again. This time I found one, just one, Eastern swallowtail butterfly. I was able to snap off some pictures, but not many.

There were several of these little guys.

And many of these moths.

But this was the lone “star.”.

I did speak with a woman who was also stunned by the lack of butterflies.

She seemed to think it was a ominous sign. I hope not!

I waited, sitting under a large pine tree to keep out of the direct sun.
Click the link to the right to see the rest of the photos …














July 21st, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Beautiful shots! Thanks for sharing. I took Ellen Ann Eddy’s embroidery class and am always looking for animal pictures.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Lovely photos. Everytime I visit your blog and look at your photo [knowing how smart you are], I wonder how you can be so talented and also so beautiful. From your jestures and poses, you also look as if you have a lot of inner beauty. Thank you for sharing so generously.
July 21st, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Thanks Mary. And, small world. We created Ellen’s website!
July 21st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Gosh, Ann, you’re very kind. Thanks. :)
July 21st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
You are such a great photographer (that too) – I’m always looking forward to what you are up to next………….
July 21st, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Oooh … thanks. It’s just a matterwatching the light, taking a lot so that you can toss the iffy ones, and good lightingh. What is that saying, “If all the world is a stage, give me good lighting?”