I just had to share this!! I went out to the goat pen and the ground seemed alive! As I got closer to the area where there was the activity, I realized that it was butterflies. Thousands of them!! They were drying their wings in the sun and eating the mulberries that had fallen to the ground. They would land on me, as I stood there, in awe over the beauty of it all, I was covered in butterflies. I went and got the children and had them come out to see it. The butterflies were not afraid (but they were still wet, so couldn't fly very far) and would land all over everyone!! It was wonderful!! The silly goats were afraid of them though, but they have learned to live with the butterflies. Cindy

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), June 17, 2001

Answers

Cindy,

You bring to mind my first year driving a concrete truck. I had to go down in May and deliver concrete on the Maris Des Cygnes river, and all these little sufer moths (they LOOK like butterflies) were fresh out, and all over! I know just what you meant! It didn't help that my truck was red and white. To see those little suckers flying like mad to catch me was so funny, I actually got too close to a tree on the "trail" back to the river and knocked off a side mirror. That was laughing a little TOO out loud, I guess. Try explaining that one to the mechanic. Like they didn't give me anough crap for being a girl!!!

-- Marty (Mrs.Puck@Excite.com), June 17, 2001.

Cindy:

Lucky you! We have a lot of milkweed, left deliberately for the monarchs. Our first year here in the fall my husband and kids told me an entire flock lifted out of the tree in front of them and flew off. This year in the fall I got to see the same thing with my kids. It was truly awesome! Lucky you!

-- Marcee King (thathope@mwt.net), June 18, 2001.

I have noticed a larger number of swallowtails around this year. Especially when I went to visit Terri's homestead..there were flocks of them flitting about. My kids try and catch them with nets but being 4 and 2 1/2 they don't have much success. What could have caused the population to rise like this? Or am I suddenly just real observant??LOL They are so pretty up close that I am considering them for my tatoo that I am finally getting next year (my first and probably only).

-- Alison in N.S. (aproteau@istar.ca), June 18, 2001.

I got a good laugh over the moths and the truck! I don't know what is causing the butterflies or the moths, but I sure am enjoying the butterflies! We have been enjoying the moths as well, we have been seeing those really huge ones. The kids didn't get to see things like that in town.

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), June 18, 2001.

Hi Cindy, I felt all tingly inside when I read your post. How wonderful to have so many butterflys at your place. I am so glad,,such good news! They have been decreasing over the years due to insecticides, etc. Such beautiful and gentle little creatures. Take some pictures if you can,,,I would love to see them,,,enjoy...

-- Patsy, MT (cozyhollow-gal@care2.com), June 20, 2001.

I wanted to take pictures, and have started to many times, but I was so afraid it would scare them off. I want them to feel that they have a safe place here. I was so happy to see them, that was all I could think about! :-)

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), June 20, 2001.