Sunday Drive

Yesterday, I spent some one-on-one time with my grandson. We went out to lunch, a country drive, and a short walk down a nature trail as an early celebration for his 22nd birthday. 

Monarch Butterflies are known for their orange and black wings and are famous for their long-distance migratory behavior. I didn't realize they moved south for the winter until a fall trip to Florida. I saw hundreds of them along my favorite walking route. They travel approximately 50 to 100 miles each day. Their eggs are laid on milkweed plants and the caterpillars feed only on this plant because it contains toxins that make monarchs unpalatable to predators. 

Horace's Duskywing is a butterfly, not a moth. It belongs to the skipper family. According to wiki, butterflies have clubbed antennae and moths have feathery antennae. I learned something today.

              

We drove to the sunflower field hoping to take pics of their beautiful faces. Too late! They have already bowed their heads. :(

I've seen these beauties all my life but didn't know anything about them. Thanks to my new "Seek" app, I now know they are called Guelder-rose. The berries are edible for birds, but toxic to humans if eaten raw. However, I learned they can be eaten cooked or made into jam. Hmm. Think I'll pass. 

Have a wonderful week!

Linking to Nature Notes