These pictures of the Mourning Cloak butterfly ~ Nymphalis antiopa

were taken a couple of weeks ago  in the garden. It is an interesting

butterfly, they emerge in July, enter a short dormancy and emerge

again in fall. They hibernate in the winter under bark etc. and might

emerge if the temperature becomes warm enough. They can live up

to a year.

        

Bugs of Alberta

                          Acorn & Sheldon

We also encountered one on our recent trip to the

mountains.

" The beauty of things was born before eyes

and sufficient to itself; the heart - breaking beauty

Will remain when there is no heart to break for it."

                                                Credo

                                                   Robinson Jeffers