A RAINBOW, BUTTERFLIES & AN ENCORE AZALEA MADE A BIRTHDAY EXTRA SPECIAL
backyardwildlifeconnection by Terry W.Johnson
This year my wife, Donna, celebrated her birthday on the day after Thanksgiving. This birthday was very special because we were able to celebrate it with our daughter and granddaughter and two very unusual natural events.
The day began with light rain falling from the sky. However, by the time we ventured outside for the first time, the sky was clearing and a beautiful rainbow stretched across the heavens. We all commented that this was truly a sign that this birthday was going to be special. As beautiful as the rainbow was, it would pale in comparison to what we would see later on.
Later in the afternoon as my wife and I drove down our driveway I just happened to notice a large cloudless sulphur nectaring at the blossoms of an encore azalea growing alongside the driveway. As we drove past, I suggested that we park the car and return to take a closer look at flowering shrub.
Upon walking back to the azalea, we began snapping pictures of the cloudless sulphur feeding among the gorgeous azaleas blossoms. Almost immediately, we noticed there was not one butterfly present—there were five different species feeding at the large azalea blossoms. In addition to the cloudless sulphur, we also spotted a painted lady, ocola, common buckeye, and long-tailed skipper. It appeared that two species of bumblebees were also visiting the flowers.
It is hard to believe that so butterflies were visiting a single flowering plant in Middle Georgia in late November. This is because butterfly gardeners in this neck of the woods know nectar is extremely difficult for pollinators to find nectar at this time of the year. I have known for years that this long-blooming azalea hybrid attracts butterflies late in autumn. However, never before have I ever seen so many different species of butterflies visiting a nectar plant this late in the year. This year our encore azalea has produced more blooms than ever before. The stunning flowers coupled with the butterflies left us with the impression it was a living birthday card.
It is just amazing how a rainbow, butterflies and an encore azalea helped make my wife’s birthday one she will never forget.
Can find the 3 species of butterflies in the photo?
