Purple Dead Nettles, with their pink tube-like flowers and burgundy upper leaves, were blooming along the Mississippi levee. Various types of bees were flying about among the wildflowers, attracted by their nectar.
Beautiful little Clouded Yellow Butterflies danced about over the wildflowers, with an occasional courting pair fluttering together in the air. The butterflies seemed too lively to stop and drink from the flowers.
This busy little bee, on the other hand, was sampling each little flower.
While watching the bees and butterflies, out of nowhere, a group of six eagles consisting of at least one adult and several juveniles, came swooping in from overhead. Their loud screeching and erratic flying stirred up quite a commotion.
After the eagles settled in nearby trees,
we started down the embankment of the levee to drive along some of the farmland back roads. Then we saw them. A group of Clouded Yellow Butterflies were sitting in the middle of the road, extracting salt and minerals from an area of sand and rocks.
They were a beautiful sight to watch!
“Nature is full of wonders; every atom is a standing miracle, and endowed with such qualities, as could not be impressed on it by a power and wisdom less than infinite.” ~Joseph Addison
walking on a country road 
Amazingly beautiful series.
Thanks, Cindy!
Love the Baldies frolicking Rebecca! A family that flies together, stays together!
They were a nice surprise! I had never seen this many interact before.
a convocation of Baldies
Wow! Bees, butterflies and Eagles. Wonderful photos, excellent footage.
Thanks, Timothy. I’m glad spring has arrived.
Wonderful sightings! I am grateful to see so many more raptors these days than I ever have in my life before. We are fortunate for the work of early conservationists that saved them from extinction.
We counted about 13 on this particular day. They seem to be doing well.
👍🏼
That quote sure says it all Rebecca. The dance of the butterflies overhead, the busy bees, an “intrusion” to the blissful setting by eagles were all fun to see, but then the cluster of butterflies. I did not know that butterflies would do that to extract salt and minerals – amazing that they know to do this. The video of them flipping their wings or moving slightly while in place – it must have been something to see. I came home from walking in the neighborhood several years ago and my house has light-colored brick. As I rounded the corner, the one side of the house had brown marks and I stepped up my pace to see what it was. It was at least 25-30 sparrows clinging to the side of the house. It never dawned on me that they would do this and when I Googled later, I learned they did this like a pet bird would use grit or small gravel to aid in digestion since they don’t have teeth. That was a first and I’ve never seen it since. Nature is full of wonders if you just look around you.
Wonderfully said, Linda! I wish I had your gift with words. Nature is full of surprises and it’s very neat when you get to experience some of them.
Thank you for saying that Rebecca. I am envious of your photography skills and where you go to see nature. One day I will learn to use the camera manually – there is room for improvement. I will be retiring the end of the month, so more long walks and maybe a chance to learn more about the camera (hopefully).
Congratulations! I hope you enjoy retirement and look forward to hearing about and seeing your future adventures. My husband retires at the end of the year, so hope we will be able to get out more then and enjoy nature.
Thank you Rebecca! I sure am looking forward to it, just as Spring begins to unfold. That is great about your husband too – congratulations to him and you getting out to explore more as well.
Wowie! Six eagles at one time. What an incredible sight!
It was quite an unexpected and welcome surprise! 🙂