Observation date: March 01, 2025
Submitted by: TCollins
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I was coming back to the ranch house when two butterfly shadows crossed to my front. I looked up and saw two large / one appearing bigger. Butterflies were soaring back and forth above a small Live Oak. It appeared the larger was being chased by the smaller, Swallowtail like butterfly. I rushed into the house about 30 yards, grabbed my camera and rushed back just in time to have them fly over my head and I snapped an out of focus shot of the two. What stood out was the fairly broad white-ish band along both wings and tail of the larger one. Several times they flew into the Live Oak only to come out and begin the chase. Finally the larger one landed in the green leaves of the live Oak and I was able get one shot before it flew off again. I also go t a picture of the Swallowtail - Pipevine. After a short study of my unusual butterfly, I felt it was a Mourning Cloak. Although fairly worn specimen. iNaturalkist agreed - my 97th species of butterflies on our ranch. As it turns out both species are fairly similar in size, but perhaps the width of the Cloak' wings is greater than the Pipevine. My camera apparently had the date and time reset and this photo was not in 1980.
Status: Resident
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: March 03, 2025
Coordinator notes: None.
