Sunday, February 6, 2011

PROTECTION FOR THE OVER-WINTERING BUTTERFLIES

 
Hi, We are in the midst of snow and ice now, however that is a good protective layer for the next generation of butterflies. In a typical winter we receive about thirty inches of snow total. We can be blessed with ice storms, sleet and of course ordinary rain. We are in a very cold period that has given us substantial snowfalls and we missed some larger snows our easterly coastal neighbors received. In the last few days we had several light ice storms or rather it rained in sub freezing temperature. In this situation the rain immediately freezes on every surface, usually bringing down trees onto and electric wires. This makes for a very problematic situation when we loose power, sometimes for days, in sub freezing temperature. This year we lucked out with minimal power outages timed only in minutes. Hopefully in a few weeks we may even see some temperatures hit the sixties or above for a day or two. Soon spring will break the back of winter. I usually get my first butterfly in late March. Here are a few winter scenes for you to view. Have a great winter, Denis