Skip to main content
 
Plant Talk

Inside The New York Botanical Garden

Weekly Wildlife at the Garden: Cloaked

Posted in Wildlife on April 7 2016, by Patricia Gonzalez

Patricia Gonzalez is an NYBG Visitor Services Attendant and avid wildlife photographer.

On Tuesday, March 22, I was in the Forest hoping to spot one of the Great-horned Owls that call it home. After searching and finding nothing, I was turning to leave when a beautiful mourning cloak butterfly landed on the forest floor. It stayed long enough to let me shoot about a dozen images before flying off. I then began thinking of the warmer months when the Home Gardening Center will be a thriving hub of swallowtails, monarchs, and hummingbird moths.

No owl photos this time—instead, the anticipation of things to come. And that is a beautiful thing!

Mourning cloak butterfly

Mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) in the Thain Family Forest – Photo by Patricia Gonzalez

Comments

Sue said:

Beautiful and Wondrous!
Thank you, Pat!

Joe said:

This regal looking butterfly is doing its part to pollinate the foliage on the forest floor while the canopy as yet to fill-in. It underscores the harmony so necessary to a healthy planet. As always, thx for sharing.

Barbara Reiner said:

this is so pretty and expert….love it!!!!