Josh I saw your little friend's counsin this morning feeding at a dandelion. They are yellow sulfers. Beautiful little thing. Seeing him inspired me to do some garden work. Of course it doesn't take too much to get me outside when the weather is this nice.

I dug up some Robert Cline cannas and ginger lilies. Sure would like to give some of them away. Guess I will go on over to 'Exchanges' and see if someone will take me up on some free flowers. (Hummingbirds love the Robert Cline cannas.)

they could be feeding on the camellias that are blooming now.
that darn henbit lawn weed may be providing them with a food source. the bees really seem to go for it.
also, the flowers of my daphne odora are beginning to open.
i think they can take shelter in cavities in trees, old structures such as barns and even evergreen shrubs if the temperatures are within tolerances for them. i have also heard of butterfly houses to hang outside.

Ah!!! So someone else has to deal with henbit. I have it growing all over the place. I hate this stuff but have learned that butterflies, sulfers, and even hummingbirds use it for food so I tolerate it. My entire back lawn will soon be nothing but a large henbit bed.

I have not noticed anything but honeybees feeding at my camellias. Will keep an eye out as to what else is visiting them.

Henbit is ubiquitous! Arrrrgh!

There's been a few of those little "yellow flying flowers" around Elmore county this week also. I think they will emerge when the weather is warm for a few days in a row, which it has been here. I'v noticed a few blooms opening on my "Thrift" (don't know the correct name), this is what my Mom called it. I also have camillia buds beginning to open, and even noticed one of my purple lantana's still had a few blooms on it yesterday. Yep, this has been a strange winter, indeed!
Jan

What host plants are around? The sulfurs will lay eggs on just about any of the bean family plants, which include some of our common weeds. Jeff is right in that they seek cover in trees and shrubs, and other nooks and crannies, but the homemade structures are more wishful thinking than anything else. Since they are cold blooded, they can take some pretty cold temperatures, and will use the sun to heat back up again in the daytime.

Haven't seen any butterflies up here, yet. But this does remind me to get my seed ordered for my annuals!!

I spotted a Sleepy Orange today (east central AL).
"The common name, Sleepy Orange, may have come from the butterfly's habit of hibernating through the cooler days of the southern winter."

Thanks, folks. Just got a chance to check back here. I forgot about the Dandelions, Henbit, and other tiny "weeds" which would serve as food source. I think Terramadre's link identified my sighting...and I plan to pay more attention this year as other butterflies appear. I see another obsession in my future besides plants and birds. josh