Red Admiral up close & personal and other notes

[Roy Zartarian]

One of this morning's business tasks involved going over to a spot 
bounded by some decent butterfly & bird territory.  As I was 
standing still, a Red Admiral landed on my necktie and began 
probing with its proboscis.  It did so for about 45 seconds as I 
watched, then moved over to the sleeve of my sportcoat and stayed 
on until I moved. Now I'm curious as to the attraction of the 
garments, both of which are silk. The tie is a blue/gray/white/gold 
pattern and the coat a gray plaid. I don't think I've slopped anything 
onto either.

The past week was one  of firsts with sightings in Newington of a 
Mourning Cloak and a Great Spangled Fritillary.  The former was in 
a nearby nature trail and the latter came to the still evolving 
butterfly garden. The horticultural endeavor also attracted an 
eastern tailed blue. Granted, the more experienced members of 
this list would find the observations not especially remarkable, but 
for this novice they were memorable.

Roy