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Permalink Reply by David Selph on May 30, 2014 at 18:48

In the last year or so I have developed a real interest in butterflies.  Yeah, I know.  Doesn't seem like a very manly thing for an outdoor bum like me. It is what it is.  I have been on butterfly counts, reading guide books, planting nectaring and caterpillar host plants and taking photos of those that visit our property here at Happily EverAfter.  The one butterfly that I really wanted to attract, see and photograph here was the Monarch.  When I lived in Illinois I saw them by the thousands but I realized I had not seen them here on the property.  I have Tiger Swallowtails, Pipevine Swallowtails, Blacks, Question Marks, Red Spotted Purples, Yellow and Orange sulphurs, American Lady, scores of different skippers, Commas, Frittilaries and even have seen and photographed Luna moths here.  Yet no Monarch.  A few days ago as I sat on the front porch with a pipe and a cool one I saw just a flash of orange color at the eave of the porch.  I go up and looked around but could see nothing.  I went through the house and picked up the camera on the off chance that maybe some new one to add to the photo collection had decided to nectar on the blooming butterfly bush out back.  Not really expecting to see much I was pleased to see what I had not seen since leaving Illinois in the late 1990's.  Big and bold as day there it was.

A simple thing like a butterfly made my day.  A day behind a Gordon setter chasing pheasants, floating through Box Canyon on Henry's Fork or fishing the Madison River in Yellowstone are just some of the blessings that I have had bestowed upon me.  On this day it was a simple butterfly,,,whose beauty serves no purpose other than to be pleasing to our sight.  It serves no function in mating and the colors are far more intense than needed for any purpose.  I really believe that those butterflies are put here for our enjoyment and pleasure and that just means that that is one more undeserved blessing bestowed on this old boy.  Manly or not, I hope I never lose sight of the beauty of nature and all her bounty.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on May 30, 2014 at 19:40

Manly isn't measured by the act committed but by the comportment of the man when he does it and when he talks about it.  Don't confuse being macho with being manly,   It ain't easy get a decent picture of butterfly.  You're one tough butterfly wrangler.  Thanks for the great photos, David. 

It's strange.  I live in Chicago and take the monarchs for granted.  For me, the trick is to attract a humming bird!  They're out there but I'm lucky if I can catch a glimpse once every two or three years!  My next door neighbor use to have a humming bird feeder and even that stopped attracting them.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on May 30, 2014 at 20:46

I'm a He-Man and I love flowers and Butterfly's and cry when I'm sad. Just enjoy nature, it's for all of us.

 Thanks for ya'll post. Nature is there for all of us to enjoy and has nothing to do with your sexual orientation.

  How does a man enjoy flowers and butterfly's? A real man, enjoys them with his heart, mind. and soul.

  Enough of my preaching. LOL

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on May 31, 2014 at 9:16

Good luck everyone, I enjoyed Ya'll pictures and stories. Thanks for participating.

Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on June 1, 2014 at 8:07

David, those Butterfly pics are awesome and beautiful. Thanks.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on June 1, 2014 at 17:30

  I think a Butterfly must be natures most beautiful bug. If Ya'll can think of a prettier one, please tell us.

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on June 1, 2014 at 17:51

Hey, everybody, check out this moth (?) I got pictures of.  It was huge.  Anybody seen anything like it?

http://www.iknifecollector.com/group/outdoorliving/forum/topics/mothra

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on June 1, 2014 at 19:37

  These are my only Butterfly Pictures

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on June 1, 2014 at 19:44

My favorite  flying insect if the Dragonfly.   The one I see most often in my yard is the Common Green Darner.  I don't find anything "common" about them!

Robert Burris said:

  I think a Butterfly must be natures most beautiful bug. If Ya'll can think of a prettier one, please tell us.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 2, 2014 at 15:41

Well the end of May has come and we have a winner.

Thank you Robert Burris for hosting this contest the stories and the photos were great.  Nice too see everyone getting out and having some fun.  Also a special thanks to TC Collectible Cutlery for making sure Robert could get the knife he wanted to give away and at a great price!

Congrats Ms. Sue!  I will get your knife mailed when I get home!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on June 2, 2014 at 16:52

Yahoo!  We have a winner. Congrats Miss Sue. I know you will love this little Queen beauty. Thanks for participating.

  Thanks to everyone that helped put this on and thanks to all the participants.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on June 3, 2014 at 21:29

hey excellent just saw this one! Congratulations to Sue OldsWidow!

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