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After the 2012 drought, butterflies became scarce. Even during the summers of 2013 and 2014 I saw very few butterflies and no Monarchs. This year I’m relieved that the butterflies appear to be back in normal numbers. I’ve seen Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Black Swallowtails, Monarchs, skippers, hairstreaks and fritillaries among others.
The swallowtails always visit the tall zinnias:
And I got to add a new butterfly to my life list over the summer. This is a beautiful Gorgone Checkerspot:
