Its not easy to photograph these guys. I'm still trying.
Its June and every June millions of these guys pass through Ambergris caye. It starts about half way through the month and goes on for weeks. Day and night they flow by.

Nice photo...I was wondering why there were so many of those yesterday while we were out fishing...there's more butterflies than birds...

all headed South.
I count about 10 every five min. by just standing in one spot. It goes on for weeks like this.

A couple of years ago there was a solid 2 days where thousands were going past every minute. It was amazing to watch.

I noticed them starting yesterday too. Absolutely magical.

A few years back I thought I was seeing things when it looked like it was snowing! LOL Amoung the thousands of yellow ones there would be a black one.
Where do they hatch (come from) and where are they going?

I saw thousands of them coming back from Gallon Jug this weekend. They were swirling around in giant "swarms". I was told that they migrate to Costa Rica somewhere, make their babies, then die.

Genes are immortal. I understand what you mean by die' but if you look at it another way the butterflys immortal genes are exchanging an old bio-flying machine for a fresh one.

Point well taken!

We remember that Harriette......it went on for at least a week or more......wish we were there to see it again.

After reading this post yesterday, today I was on the lookout for these butterflies and saw some. It was just so amazing to see them!!!!!!

I have been sitting and watching them this afternoon. They do pass regularly. The sea is gorgeous, boats and parasails going by also. I believe this must be nirvana. Does anyone know the types of butterflies? Looks like Monarchs, plus some little yellow ones and little white ones.
S

They seemed to have picked up today. its groups of 5 to 10 every min. instead of onesies twosies.
The yellow ones are called Cloudless Sulfurs.
and the orange seem to be Monarch.
some black ones as well.

Is this the migration that is happening now? I wonder why so late this year. Noticed them earlier this week and still going on, continuous stream heading south.

Yes, it is late. Generally see them in late June to early July. I was told that they fly to Costa Rica, lay their eggs and die. What a beautiful last flight they have if this is true!!!

I saw those little yellow ones headed south when I was over 100 miles off the coast of Baja....strong little guys!

Its been great watching all week. seems like ten times as much as last year!

I have identified 6 species of butterfly during this migration. We are seeing dozens a minute right now. Not to mention the other species also hanging around the lantana. I am still wondering where the nectar bar is, I want to go to Happy Hour. No Monarchs in the bunch. They migrate here in the late fall. Yes this group is HARD to get a photo of, fast and in the tree line.
Cloudless Sulfur (Phoebis sennae)
Orange Banded Sulfur (Phoebis philea)
Ruddy Daggerwing (Phoebis philea) orange with tail
Great Southern White (Ascia monuste)
Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
Giant Swallowtail ( Heraclides cresphontes)

Now off to finish my latte on the veranda and watch the show.

They are AMAZING - clusters and clouds of them - mostly the yellow ones with a few monarchs mixed in.
I think this may be the second best migration in 20 years.
Am told that they feed on the creosote bushes in Yucatan and that if there is a drought up there, we get more flying past here.
At any rate - it's magic.

I got curious so I thought I'd share



Butterfly Database




Orange banded or barred



Cabbage white




Giant Swallowtail




Ruddy Daggerwing





Great Southern White




Cloudless Sulpher

Oh my - thanks for those photos.

What great shots. Were they all taken here and when?
I have been trying to post four images under the photo section and keep being told my images are too big - even though they are not. I have them at 4 x 6" at 72 resolution.

Although there were still what normally would be called a lot, today the migration seems to be over. Boo hoo. I waited too long to take the pictures of the clouds on these in my firecracker plants. Yesterday the taxis were stopping her to let the passengers take pictures.

I wish I could take photographs that well Harriette. No, I was just curious about what the species that Chica had keyed in her post then shared some images I had G'gled. Looking at these I was tryin gto figure out which one was in Mr. elberts photograph.

I believe Elbert's is a Orange Banded Sulfur. Here a link to some of the species I have had the pleasure of seeing in my neighborhood. Thanks to Bear, I have been able to figure out how to paste in a photo. Enjoy.

Butterfly and Moth photo album


Ruddy Daggerwing (Marpesia petreus)


Hawk's Moth for Hariette.

That's my guy - Hummingbird Hawk Moth. Now if only I could post my butterfly pictures (even though they don't compare to these!)

Does the Humminbird Hawk Moth mimic the flight of a hummingbird when feeding? Reminds me of a Sphinx moth in Michigan. Always had to do a double take to make sure what you were looking at.

Yes, they do. That's why the guys were so sure it was a hummingbird. He would hover right in front of my face then veer off to my left.

Go Chica! yeah!

Looks like a Duck ,Quacks like a duck but is not a Duck is convergent evolution.
The Hawk Moth and the hummingbird are frequently used examples.

Recently we have been having an on-going discussion about the Hawks moth and hummingbird because we have been spotting both by the house. We managed to catch a photo of the moth but I have stood right next to the hummingbirds and stared into their eyes so I know I have seen the bird too.

Isn't nature grand!

Hmmm, is there a hummingbird that looks like the hawks moth?

Its not looks its how they fly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vS7yti70RE

Thanks Elbert.

Wow, I think I have to eat my hat! I am going to have to really study the flying visitors to confirm. But I have a feeling we are looking at moths not birds at our house.

The only way I was sure it was not a hummingbird was because I sitting by the pond and looking up at it working a bush and could see that it had insect type legs, not bird legs.

Good point Harriete - I will look at the legs instead of being mesmerized by the flapping wings and cool head.

Yes a quick check of how many legs will tell. Insects have six legs, birds two. One of the qualitative differences in the animal kingdom is number of appendages 4 vs. 6. But these guys are so fast, and they don't like to give up their secrets.

Thanks Coleen. But you did mean to say two didn't you?

By the way, I love the pix you have been posting here and FB.

Yes 2 legs for birds. I forget the wings aren't considered legs.

Here's a tough one Colleen......how may legs does a Centipede have!

more or less than a millipede?

Their names are deceiving....both can have between 20 & 400.

Back to the butterflies for a moment -- here's a quick video I shot a couple days ago of the butterfly migration moving through Tres Cocos (a mile north of the cut). For the photography buffs in the room, this was shot with a 50mm lens, so in order to get some of these closeups I had to place the camera inches from the butterfly (which shows you how little they minded). Enjoy!

http://vimeo.com/islandfilms/butterflies

Very nice Ben and it shows exactly what everyone is talking about.

Nice! (although I was expecting Cream's version of "I'm So Glad", Oh well shows my generational origins)

Is that Hummingbird bush theyre feeding from? (Grevilla sp)

I'm not sure. I've heard them called Firecracker Bushes.

That looks like my yard and they are called Firecracker Plants.
I'm having a hard time getting the video to download. AH Belize!

Such a gorgeous video! We did see a few butterflies the first two weeks in July when we were there, but nothing like this. Wish we hadn't missed it!

Yes I can see the difference now. Firecracker plant I like it! but then what pyrotechinician wouldnt? Were these already on your property Harriette or did you plant them? I woulnd't mind growing a few on our place. If you planted them did you uses cuttings or get them from a nursery somewhere?

We keep a small hedge of Grevillea (very similar looking) right in front of our picture windows back in Sonoma so we can watch hummers and butterflies feed during the bloom.

Very nice film, we enjoyed it (although I still think it should have had Cream's version of I'm So Glad )

They're actually not the plants in Harriette's yard -- they're further south on the road near Bamboo House. Those bushes are bigger and get more direct sunlight, so there seems to be more activity.

Thanks Ben would you tell the owners not to be overly concerned if late one niht they see a rather large hairy animal mucking about in their yard with pruning shears and a bucket of cuttings?

Thanks much appreciated!

AHA - Ben - you were at the empty lot next to the McLean's (which they also own). Firecracker plants spread and I got all of my starts from this back by permission of Bob & Helene. You too can probably get some there or come to my place (Birdland) and I help you dig up some young ones.

Harriette, I would like one.....would they work in the planters we have around our patio.

Al - Come on up - I'm sure you will be able to get one or more to grow.

I was fortunate enough to have seen this last weekend while on the caye and again today, while driving the Western Hywy in Cayo and Belize districts.