Slim pickings!

In view of the recent cold snap that swept over the Bayou, I never expected to see butterflies!  The pathetic looking zinnias still drew a few moths and butterflies out of their hiding places.  The critters were not moving to swiftly early in the morning but by midday they were all flitting about like it was midsummer.  This made me start to ponder just what they would eat if those zinnias had been pulled from the ground like I started to do last week.  Would the butterflies and the last few hummingbirds go elsewhere or would they merely go hungry?  I know that, as a rule, you are supposed to pull down the hummingbird feeders once it starts getting cold so the birds will continue their migration to warmer parts but it never occurred to me that a few diehard or stubborn critters might need a bit of fueling before continuing that trek.  It would sure be hard to make a long flight on an empty stomach!

This afternoon, I noticed a few butterflies but no hummers.  Perhaps they have scooted themselves south of here.  Do all butterflies migrate like the monarchs?  Or do the ones like these Long-tailed Skippers stay and brave the cold?  I never thought much about these questions until today.  I had moved the Pineapple Sage indoors but was having second thoughts now.  Maybe I should move it outdoors again just so the Skippers will have a better selection of diners!

Doing a bit of research on the Skippers made all the difference in the world.  They do not migrate from the Bayou!  Some will come spend the winter here but the ones that live here just merely stay put! The butterfly does not do well where there is prolonged cold but here on the Bayou, we rarely have hard freezes.  Even during the coldest days, the sunshine brings enough warmth to pull it above that frost mark.  The Skipper will hide under mulch until the sun warms it enough to move.  Then it is out and about hunting anything to fuel its body.

 These butterflies are often overlooked.  They pale in comparison to the almost gaudy Swallowtails and Monarchs.  Still, they are quite beautiful if one takes the time to really look closely at them.  They have a prominent bluish-green color at the base of the wings and on their back.  The tiny butterfly brought a huge smile to my face on this cold day.  I do think I should find some winter-flowering plants just for the Skippers!