Mourning Cloak

Description:

Spotting #1000! My first Butterfly spotting of 2014. The Mourning Cloak is a fairly large and easy to identify butterfly. The wings are mostly a dark, purplish brown, bordered with bright yellow and brilliant blue spots. This butterfly is usually one of the first ones seen in the Spring because they overwinter as adults. Their dark color helps them to absorb heat from the sun in the spring when temperatures can be quite cool. This species can be found throughout the world.

Habitat:

Temperate forest. Connetquot River State Park Preserve, New York.

Notes:

We saw two or three of these butterflies, but this one granted me an audience for photos! Thank you!