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| A Questionmark Butterfly |
If you've ever had the pleasure of visiting a butterfly house, you'll notice platters set around with sliced fruits and melons for the butterflies to dine on. Well, I eat a lot of berries and bananas. When I get some that are too ripe or damaged, I feed them to the butterflies.
I rigged a hanging plate using the bottom of an old bird feeder. It's not pretty, but they don't mind.
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| A Questionmark Butterfly showing off the squiggle and dot that gives it its name. |
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| An Emperor Butterfly - not sure exactly which kind |
It may take a day or two for the butterflies to discover the fruit supply, but they will discover it. And the word spreads quickly from there.
Added a few bananas to the strawberries.
And they continued to come.
If you decide to put out a plate of fruit, make certain you place it away from entries to your house as it'll also attract some gnats and flies. And as you clean up the old remnants and add fresh fruit, the butterflies will hitch a ride on your clothing back into the house if you're not careful.
They've been marvelous to have around, though.
143 comments:
Thats extraordinary,what a wonderful idea, am going to try it.
You got some brilliant shots of this lovely butterfly,and all it's friends.
What a wonderful idea! I am definitely going to try this out...and I have the perfect place to hang it already! Thank you SO much for the tip! Your photos are so great - I always love the butterflies and never miss a chance to visit a butterfly house.
Wow! That turned into quite a get together!
What an awesome post...I love this idea!!! I can't believe how many butterflies came! Very cool...thanks for sharing:) Have a great weekend.
Beautiful and gorgeous post! It was like walking into heaven. Beautiful shots, beautiful butterflies!
If I put out a plate of fruit like this, the squirrels will get to them first.
Your orange with dots butterfly is gorgeous. I can't identify it yet after I took a few shots around here too..
What a good and shrewd idé.Jag will definitely borrow your idea to attract me butterflies in the summer / brita
Wow, so many butterflies!! Wonderful photos with a fantastic light!!
Thanks for this tip. I will absolutely try it to :))
That's a plate-full of flutterbys. Do they not get run off by those pesky tree rats?
what a great idea!! i bet you get to see some gorgeous butterflies. (:
What a great idea. It's amazing how many filled the plate! Thanks for the tip too, about keeping it away from the house due to gnats... I'll have to try this butterfly feast at my home soon.
SPLENDID idea . . . I stopped at my favorite Nuthatch bird house store a few days ago. She rigged up a container saucer of grape jelly , (thinned with some water) and the butterflies were feeding in delight like yours! Bees too . . .
Your photos of this "food event" are outstanding . . . . I so enjoyed this post . . .
GREAT IDEA! I used to feed them and kind of lost it for that stuff in the last few years from being too busy. When we move, we are going to have a nature area right outside the kitchen window. You can bet I will have some butterfly food!
Cindy Bee
Oh, my - what gorgeous photos! Do the squirrels bother this, as they do regular bird feeders? I can't imagine that they do - or you plate wouldn't stay "upright" for long!
Thanks for sharing!
Great work!
It attracts so many butterflies for your photography session.
What a wonderful plate full of butterflies! Wll done Theresa!
Amazing! Gave me goosebumps.
What a wonderful idea; a butterfly buffet! There were alot of butterflies dining there.
What a great idea. Love the shots where there are a gazillion of them all in one place. That had to be a blast to watch.
Wow- I didn't know that butterflies liked fruit! I've always wanted to grow a butterfly garden- I love to watch them flutter around.
Very cool Tex! I love seeing the butterflies do their lazy dance in our yard around all our flowers and butterfly bushes. I am showing CH this post when he wakes up!
Wow! That a LOT of butterflies, lol!
Love this idea!
I currently have several flowers in bloom that they like but some added fruit would be nice to attract some more. Hmmm, now my wheels are spinning, oh boy...
Very cool Tex! I love seeing the butterflies do their lazy dance in our yard around all our flowers and butterfly bushes. I am showing CH this post when he wakes up!
You know, I never thought of adding fruit to draw in the butterflies. We have several butterfly bushes, but think I'll discuss Hubby rigging one of these up for me.
That's amazing! I guess the word spread of your amazing cooking and entertaining skills. I've noticed more butterflies than usual this year, guess we better feed'em. As usual everybody loves "fresh" fruit!
Hmmm, I saw something fresh on the Run*A*Round!!
Wow...what a great way to attract Butterflys. I am going to give it a try! Thanks for sharing my friend!
They love their sweets don't they. Amazing how many you got in a short amount of time.
This is amazing! You really captured some beautiful shots! I've got to try this. I had no idea fruit would attract butterflies like this.
That is brilliant, look at them all! I'm going to steal your idea (imitation is the most sincere form of flattery) .
Oh my...amazing photos! I couldn't imagine all those butterflies!!!
I always plant lots of flowers for the butterflies to visit.
This is so perfect! I love seeing all those butterflies enjoying your fruit basket. I didn't know they love fruit so much. How do you keep the squirrels away? Those pesky critters take anything remotely food-like for themselves.
Clever idea! We have never tried this but we do have plants that attract and feed the butterflys. Picked the seeds up from Wildseed Farms down in Fredericksburg,Tx. This has certainly been the year for butterflys!
"flying flowers" love it! :oD
fantastic shots, hon. i can't believe how many there are! i'm totally trying this now.
Oh my goodness! I've never seen anything like that! Should have kept my old bananas! LOL. Wonderful photos of an amazing event.
Oh, wow. wow. wow! that is amazing!! And, these are some of the most beautiful photos ever! Thank you so much for this great idea, T!! blessings ~ tanna
One word: AWESOME! :)
That is quite special. We don't have butterflies so I am quite amazed at how many you have on your fruit plate.
All of the above!!! Got me a spot too.Thank you so much for sharing that :)
Wow, that's amazing and what a great idea.
Wish you a wonderful weekend.
Mette
i just said OMG about 10 times as I scrolled down. amazingggggggg. i don't have anything right now but an over ripe banana, will see if bob can rig one out by the staghorn plant. we have lots of butterflies but nothing like this, they come to the flowers, did i say ammmaaaziinnnnn?
Never gave it a thought....wow...look at all of those!
That is so cool to see!
Those are incredible shots!! Great post! What a clever idea, must try it too!
Wow! You sure know how to attract the butterflies. I think I am going to have to put out some fruit.
By the way, I think you are right that the butterflies I posted are Red Admirals. A couple other people said that too. I had never heard of them before.
Wow! I never thought about doing that. Thanks for the suggestion and for the fabulous photos!
Wow, never though to do that. they are stunning.
Have a great weekend
Shaun
Valleys ShutterBug
That's a lot of butterflies, I put fruit and bread out for the birds as well as bird seed, I wonder if the birds would eat all the fruit.
WoW t, amazing on so many levels. you got some great images and coo-doe's to you for "building" the butterfly feeder. i am def going to try that but how do you keep the squirrels out??
we had thousands here yesterday but they were not landing. i did not have any fruit in the house, because i don't love any "healthy" foods!!
that was some party i missed!!
p.s...i love when you talk to us!!
Wooow, they really love the fruits!
Fantastic shots!
http://www.1sthappyfamily.com/2012/05/photo-session-with-reticulated-python.html
What a great idea! You really attracted a lot of butterflies. Great shots of these beauties!
Wow wow wow - so many butterflies. What amazingly lovely shots!
OMGosh, these are awesome, Theresa! I love them & I'm certainly gonna be trying this out, for sure! I LOVE THAT LAST PIC, AWESOME CAPTURE!!!
sorry for yelling, but flutterbys/flying flowers are sooo cool! mom got me started calling them flutterbys very young & it just stuck... butterfly makes no sense, does it? butter doesn't fly, the flying flowers flutter by... flutterbys! how'd the come up w/ butterfly? i'll have to check that out
That is so cool! I've never set food out for butterflies, but I will now after seeing this!!! What an awesome idea!
I didn't know this and I'm definitely going to try it. Thanks for sharing this tidbit!
Some sources have erroneously suggested that the excrement of butterflies is thought to resemble butter. The problem with this, of course, is that other than to void excess water, butterflies do not excrete!
Here ye, here ye... I, Tricia of Bluff Area Daily, do hereby & officially, today, May 5th 2012, change the name of the 'butterfly' to flutterby, because that's what they are & it makes more sense! How ya like me now, English word maker people!!! LoL! heheheee =)
Beautiful! I love that you call them flying flowers~a perfect description.
Wow I'm impressed. I'll try it. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Humm I think I saw something out at the farm house I can use to make a butterfly feeder. Thanks for "putting us on" to this idea.
Your ideas and pictures never cease to amaze me. sandie
You are amazing with a camera!
Wow! Absolutely awesome. I will try this today. I'm amazed at some of the specialized bloggers and that they know the names of all butterflies and a whole lot more of the creepy crawlers.
That is simply divine to see! Just one more idea to keep in my mind for when I finally have my own place...someday.
Thanks for sharing!
A fabulous series on feeding the butterflies. I never would have thought of doing that. I'm amazed how many could crowd together to eat! Excellent series.
That is miraculous, the flying flowers, I love it. I don't know what it is, but I'll with you, Emperor butterfly.
Well, I never knew that I know what I am making next. That is so awesome. I love the shots with all of the butterfly's that came. I think that is just amazing. Just like Gene Stratton Porter. :)
This in incredible and absolutely amazing. I may need to share this post. I can't believe the plate full of butterflies. So cool!
you've got a feast going!!
how wonderful
your last photo is really beautiful
poetic
Great project! Thanks for the lovely presentations!
Love that idea! They are gorgeous.
Your butterfly restaurant seems to be doing extremely well! Are you charging them?
I've never heard of doing this. I think I will give it a try.
I had no idea about this. We have a lot of them here. Worth trying. Great serie
Oh my goodness! What a fabulous idea! Thank you for sharing it. I am definitely going to give it a try. Your photographs are so very lovely!
What a spectacular sight, wow!
This is just wonderful! I am so going to have to do this! You sure did get a good crowd there at your feeder. Sweet!
Oh my goodness...a convention. Lot's of grazin' going on. Delightful post. :)
Wow! What a fantastic sight to see..
T, what a great idea! You certainly have a lot of butterflies around there! Very pretty! I do love butterflies!
Doesn't your fruit attract wasps? We have lots of them around here. They try to feed off the Hummer feeders.
I didn't know this was attracting butterflies.
Greetings,
Filip
Great idea! When our butterflies come out of hibernation, I'll have to give it a try! By the way, you need a bigger feeder. ;-}
holy cow! I have never had that many butterflies in my yard. they must be migrating through. I saw a question mark in my yard this morning. only one.
I've gotta show this to THE BOSS! Bet she'll have me figuring out how to build and where to hang a "flutterby" feeder before the weekend is out. Raining today so maybe tomorrow.
Oh, my goodness I'm so glad I came over this evening, I have never seen so many butterflies in one place, it's incredible!!! I shall definitely do this...if we ever get any butterfly weather, it's more like the middle of Winter here :-(
I also just found another of my favourite Whistling Duck posts, what is it about them, they are just so much fun :-)
I was also struck, while enjoying seeing your lovely dogs sunning themselves on an earlier post, just how very lucky they are to live on such a large property, what a wonderful home they have with you Theresa!
Fantastic post. I have never seen anything like it. Thanks for the information. I will definatly try it.
WOW!!! I Love it! This is a gorgeous post! I'm reading this and thinking why haven't I tried this?! I will be slicing a banana and may some blueberries. Theresa you are Awesome!
I have seen the plates of fruit in butterfly conservatories but never thought to try it. Maybe I'll give it a go this summer.
Wowwww never seen this before.....great pictures !!...love the nature.....xxx....and you...xxx..
Wow! A butterfly party! :))
Well how cool is that and what great pictures! I've never thought of doing it before and will also give it a try--Everyone is talking about seeing so many butterflies, and I've yet to see them, so maybe doing this, will change all of that! THANKS for a great idea!!
Beautiful! This looks like a whole lot of fun to me, but I am wondering if the squirrels will eat the fruit. If they do, its goodbye butterflies!
Do these butterflies stay all summer or are they on their way to somewhere else?
Cheers,
Jo
That is awesome! I'll have to do this.
Oh wow T these are amazing shots. You sure got a lot of them. I've not seen anything like that before.
Hmmm, I have never thought about sharing fruit with the butterflies. My rabbit and chickens might NOT like the idea. I like your hot pink boots in the previous post. I have black and white houndstooth and lime green ankle height boots.
Blessings,
Lorilee
Beautiful. Thank you for the tip. :-)
Oh Wow.. as I scrolled my way down through your photos - I was amazed at how many butterflies landed on your plate!!! Such a fabulous visual experience. I'm in awe :D)
You are awesome!
Great photographs!
And that last one :)
That's almost scary. Lol. Great post and information, T. I may have to try this. :)
Oh my your photographers are wonderful! Bonnie
Your plate full of fruit turned into a plateful of Zephr's, Satyr's and Fritillaries, amazing and fantastic.
BlessYourHeart
This is great!
So many flying flowers ! happy weekends !
Oh How Wonderful!!
Wow, great idea Theresa. I saw the butterflies being fed fruit in Costa Rica. I might try feeing them the banana soon. Your photos are amazing, you have a lot of butterflies there. Have a great weekend!
What a GREAT idea!! Why didn't I think of that! You really were able to get some amazing shots from these grateful little guys. Well done!
What wonderful pictures, Theresa. And what a great idea for a butterfly feeder.
Awesome shots Tex. B
Wow! This is such a cool idea...I just showed this to my hubby and told me must do this. Thanks for sharing!
Hi TexWisGirl, in a word: Awesome! I had not heard of doing the feeding for butterflies. I think I will try this away from the house, bird feeder and areas that are squirrel-prone. : )
Have an excellent day tomorrow and thanks for this tip!
I had no clue that they liked strawberries. You learn something new everyday.
Fun! I'm going to have to try that! :)
xo Catherine
WOW! My jaw just dropped open. I have never seen anything like that.
That is totally amazing. I know what I'm doing tomorrow! I've started seeing butterflies around the yard since I got back home.
I have visited a butterfly house and there was fruit out for the butterflies but I never thought of trying it here, wonderful idea, thank you.
Love your pictures, you sure attracted a lot of butterflies.
Wow, so many butterflies! Thanks for the very interesting information. I hope butterflies in your garden will never forget their work of pollination while devouring themselves into fruits! I like to see them flitting from flower to flower. Butterflies are indeed “flying flowers”.
Wow, great idea and beautiful pictures.
Beautiful, Beautiful,Beautiful,Beautiful...i never fed mine...LOL...but I'm thrilled.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Kisses, BShell
Brilliant! I'll do this too. Lovely photos.
Cool idea on a walk the other day there was a banana peel on the side walk it was covered with butterflies I didn't have my camera with me
Wow! How cool is that!
Oh, wow! I'd never thought of doing this. Oh, thank you for the inspiration ~
Holy Hanna! That is amazing. What a great idea. Must try it! We have thousands of Red Admiral butterflies around here. This is terrific. I love the squirrel on the feeder. I figure I ought to label my feeders: one for sq., deer, woodpeckers!
We have a new critter, named Fred! ! sigh
Love this!!!!
Well I'll be darned T! How cool is that? And, the last photo is stellar, a beautiful capture my dear.
This is fantastic, what a great idea. Wonderful shots!
How AWESOME!!! What a wonderful idea and a fantastic post! I'm totally going to do something like this!
Had no idea! What an awesome share T!
You have your own butterfly house...we've been to a few of those and I've NEVER seen that many flying flowers' in one spot. I'm in awe. What a wonderful post.
Neat photos.... it's been butterfly season here too... they hang around our mock orange bush, but the blossoms will soon be gone and there goes the butterflies.
This is a brilliant post!!!! I have never thought about doing this....I love it! I've seen it at a butterfly house but I've never thought about doing it here. Something tells me that the birds would have a field day. We have now have several hundred visit everyday here....as for the pics, I really really love these. That is such a great idea. You are so fortunate....and great tips about having it away from the entrance. Working in the butterfly house here in Tucson, I can tell you first hand that the little buggers love to hitch a ride:)
OMG, the pictures of the tray full of butterflies are just amazing! :)
Wow! This is amazing and great discovery on there inner habit! You have done a wonderful job Tex and i will try to follow your idea to invite more butterflies.
Beautiful images!
That is amazing! I had no idea they like fruit so much.
WOWZERS! When you throw a party, they all come.
gorgeous .. I think this might work here because I live across from a part .. I think I'll give a go and if it works I will post pix .. if it doesnt I'll post a whine .. LOL!
actually...that's pretty awesome ;)
WOW! You've made some great posts...but this one is my all time favorite!
I had never thought of this, so thanks for sharing this idea!
what a brilliant post/idea, teresa!
i'm really impressed!
you're such a kindred, wonderful person, and i love ya for that.
exceptional photos!
I have never, seen, read, or heard anything about doing this. What a wonderful idea Theresa, and look how many visitors you have in one swift go. I wonder how they get the word out to their peers to come and dine;')~
Wow, that's so cool! I didn't know butterflies would eat that stuff. I'll have to start setting the strawberry leftovers out. Nice shots!
Oh, my, I had never thought of doing this...it is a wonderful idea!!!!
awww! you are so sweet for feeding the beautiful butterflies :-) great shots :-) looks like they love the fruits too :-) Dropping by from Camera Critters.
http://www.kidsnpet.com/2012/05/scrapper-our-female-beagle-puppy/
How fascinating! I did not know fruit attracted butterflies! Made for some great photos.
These photos are truly amazing!!! I can't wait to show them to my husband, who has put out over-ripe bananas to attract more butterflies. Looks like we need to add some strawberries, too!! We saw some pics like yours of the 'overcrowded' feeder (WOW!) in BIRDS & BLOOMS Magazine. You need to submit some of your photos to them!
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