Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
We went to the Agricultural History Farm Park today. As usual we started in the woodland shade garden and then moved into the Master Gardeners’ demonstration garden. There wasn’t a lot in the way of plant life yet there, but things are starting to show signs of spring. There was, however, this mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa), which is not one I’ve seen very often. It’s a pretty thing, I think. Very different to the swallowtails and quite distinctive (meaning no disrespect to the swallowtails, they’re nice, too, but we see them everywhere).