29 Comments
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Neil Barker's avatar

What a beautiful butterfly, Heidi! The shades of blue on the Fender's Blue Butterfly are surreal. That's amazing too that the Fender's has made a comeback. Lovely haiku and thank you for sharing.

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Neil! They are truly beautiful to see flying, so small and a periwinkle blue for the males of the species. Springtime magic. Thank you for reading.:)

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Charlotte Pendragon's avatar

Gorgeous butterfly! I wish we had these here in California where I live! Although we have many yellow ones and white ones and orange ones. I rarely see a blue one. Thank you for sharing this today! 🦋💙

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Charlotte and much appreciated!! I was lucky to see these little critters at this time of year. They spend most of their lives in their other phases. Hope you are doing great!

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April Whalley's avatar

I always learn something here Heidi, great work ❤️❤️

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, April! It's always encouraging to see species come back from the brink of extinction.

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Trudi Nicola's avatar

I saw a tiny blue butterfly today here in York, Uk! I wonder if it is related to yours? 🦋

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

How wonderful, Trudi! I've been researching blue butterflies and there are definitely species of them around the world. They belong to a few different families.:)

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Trudi Nicola's avatar

Here’s mine!

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Definitely a relative!

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James Freitas's avatar

Absolutely stunning butterfly! Much as May is the jurisdiction of warblers, it's nice to be able to see butterflies flitting around in the warmer weather, too. Great example of how everything is connected. As JoJo says, the Kincaid’s lupine "is as threatened a species as the Blue Butterfly." When the lupine struggles, the butterfly struggles; when the lupine does better, the butterfly does better. Thank you, Heidi.

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, James! I've also come to learn that there is a Kincaid lupine hybrid in the area which the Fender's Blue Butterfly also likes which is good news for recovery and thriving.

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Oh, I'm so glad those beautiful little butterflies didn't go extinct!

We have similar little lavender butterflies here in the Kootenays, and lots of lupins as well. Both so beautiful.

Thanks for reporting, and for these lovely pictures, Heidi and critters.

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Diana! The Endangered Species Act works. I wonder if the Fender's Blue Butterfly and the lavender butterfly in the Kootenays are related?

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

I wonder too, Heidi. They're very similar.

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

I looked up a BC butterfly field guide online and see that there are 2 listed blue butterflies, the Arctic and the Melissa. The Willamette Valley species is the Fender, so they must all be a part of the same genus, I think.:)

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Makes sense. They look very similar.

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Heidi, that Fenders Blue Butterfly is a absolutely beautiful. I really enjoyed reading this. The Critters adventures always make my day.

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Pamela! If we could only go on a walk there, so you could see the little blue butterflies. They are truly magical.

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Heidi, That would be wonderful! I would love to meet you!

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Let’s stay on the radar!

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

We will! I am needing to plan some escapes!

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Mary B's avatar

Beautiful photos of the butterfly and the Path Unwinding, which (The Path Unwinding) would be a wonderful title to a book Heidi, and you would be just the person to write it. Or, a t-shirt with The Path Unwinding, the photo reproduced, and "Follow Me!" 😃 Loved this post. Your critters are adorable and their conversations are so considerate and kind. ❤️

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Mary! You are giving the Critters some very good ideas for merch! And a great idea for another book.:)

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Mary B's avatar

You're welcome! 😃

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Kristin Swan's avatar

Thanks for indulging my super sleuthing (haha) and sharing this piece with your readers! What a gorgeous creature, the periwinkle is divine. Btw, I also love the compare and contrast angle from last week!

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Kristin! You're a true source of inspiration! You helped me take a closer look at this special little butterfly. I saw several of them at Bassett Slough before I was bowled over by the Turkey Vultures in the oak woods.:)

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Kristin Swan's avatar

Aw well I’m happy to be of assistance. I can totally see how the turkey vultures captured your attention. Hope you have a great weekend!

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

You too! Thanks again!

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