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Happy birthday!
Sep. 6th, 2015 11:16 amHappy birthday to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dreamshark and jdtacv -- hope it's a good one for both of you!
dreamshark and jdtacv -- hope it's a good one for both of you!Sep. 6th, 2015
Butterflies!
Sep. 6th, 2015 10:37 pmYesterday I went on a butterfly expedition and did Science! guppiecat and I went to Glacial Lakes State Park (near Alexandria, MN, which was almost three hours away) with Eric from the Minnesota Zoo. We went hiking the prairie looking for butterflies to add to the census and, in the case of Monarchs, to test for parasites and tag. It was a great day for Monarchs -- we stopped at catching eight of them, though we saw lots more. I say "we," but I didn't actually catch any of them. I got to do the documentation, though, and tag one of them, which just meant putting a numbered little sticker on the wing. Apparently it doesn’t affect flying at all.
We also saw -- and by "saw," I meant caught in a butterfly net and seen up close -- a Regal Frittilary and three Pawnee skippers. Our guide was particularly pleased about the latter, because they’re on a Minnesota endangered watch list. Also yellow and gold sulfur butterflies, cabbage butterflies, and lots of moths, none of which are endangered, but which are still interesting. Oh, and two leopard frogs.
It was a hot day and we walked up and down the gentle hills (at a guess) for about four miles. I was so very done when I finally got home, but I’m feeling back to normal today.
It was a great day, and I’m thankful toguppiecat, who bought the experience at a zoo auction, for inviting me.
guppiecat and I went to Glacial Lakes State Park (near Alexandria, MN, which was almost three hours away) with Eric from the Minnesota Zoo. We went hiking the prairie looking for butterflies to add to the census and, in the case of Monarchs, to test for parasites and tag. It was a great day for Monarchs -- we stopped at catching eight of them, though we saw lots more. I say "we," but I didn't actually catch any of them. I got to do the documentation, though, and tag one of them, which just meant putting a numbered little sticker on the wing. Apparently it doesn’t affect flying at all.We also saw -- and by "saw," I meant caught in a butterfly net and seen up close -- a Regal Frittilary and three Pawnee skippers. Our guide was particularly pleased about the latter, because they’re on a Minnesota endangered watch list. Also yellow and gold sulfur butterflies, cabbage butterflies, and lots of moths, none of which are endangered, but which are still interesting. Oh, and two leopard frogs.
It was a hot day and we walked up and down the gentle hills (at a guess) for about four miles. I was so very done when I finally got home, but I’m feeling back to normal today.
It was a great day, and I’m thankful to
guppiecat, who bought the experience at a zoo auction, for inviting me.