The Poo Puddler
At the arboretum, next to the lake where we were sitting, there were several butterflies flying back and forth on the ground. Looks like a Spicebush Swallowtail or a Red-spotted Purple. If you know differently, please let me know.
When we took a closer look we realized they were actually puddling on the duck poo - and there was plenty of it, too. In fact there was so much of it I didn't dare kneel down to get a good close up because .. well, you can guess why.
***According to Wikipedia butterflies commonly form aggregations on wet soil, dung or carrion and from those fluids they obtain needed salts and amino acids which play various roles in their physiology, ethology and ecology.
The Poo Puddler
At the arboretum, next to the lake where we were sitting, there were several butterflies flying back and forth on the ground. Looks like a Spicebush Swallowtail or a Red-spotted Purple. If you know differently, please let me know.
When we took a closer look we realized they were actually puddling on the duck poo - and there was plenty of it, too. In fact there was so much of it I didn't dare kneel down to get a good close up because .. well, you can guess why.
***According to Wikipedia butterflies commonly form aggregations on wet soil, dung or carrion and from those fluids they obtain needed salts and amino acids which play various roles in their physiology, ethology and ecology.