Butterflies... Where to go?
Outdoor Ontario

Butterflies... Where to go?

KPaw · 10 · 3244

KPaw

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Hi, looking for any recommendations - where is a good place in Toronto to go to photograph butterflies?   .. preferably one I can get to by TTC.  

Thank you.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by KPaw »


JW Mills

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I've always had luck with flower gardens such as Rosetta McLain Gardens in Scarborough or James Gardens in Etobicoke.
 Perhaps there's one near you.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by JW Mills »
Open Channel D


mr.sharp-photo

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High Park is amazing. Right near Colborne Lodge.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by mr.sharp-photo »


Bluffs Birder

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Today was 'Cabbage White' Day at Rosetta McClain Gardens.  I've never seen so many of that species in the main garden area before, at least a 100 up until the heavy rain put them in to hiding.  If the flowers hold up it should be pretty amazing there when the Monarch migration begins in September.

Walter
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bluffs Birder »


Moira

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Hi Walter - I've been meaning to check in with you.  How are the flowers at Rosetta?  Am I too late to drop in this w/e?  Thanks,
Moira
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Moira »


BoboBird

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Quote from: "Bluffs Birder"
Today was 'Cabbage White' Day at Rosetta McClain Gardens.  I've never seen so many of that species in the main garden area before, at least a 100 up until the heavy rain put them in to hiding.  If the flowers hold up it should be pretty amazing there when the Monarch migration begins in September.

Walter


Hundreds everywhere actually.

Why is that ?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by BoboBird »


Bluffs Birder

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Moira - Overall the flowers are in great shape but there are a few types that are starting to die off a bit.

Bobobird - I'm not sure why there are such fluctuations in butterfly species numbers from year to year but it sure makes things interesting.  Last year there were hundreds of Red Admirals everywhere, this year I've only seen a handful.  Probably due to weather and plant growth.

Walter
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bluffs Birder »


Howieh

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Quote from: "KPaw"
Hi, looking for any recommendations - where is a good place in Toronto to go to photograph butterflies?   .. preferably one I can get to by TTC.  

Thank you.


May I suggest a couple of places that haven't been mentioned - the Guild Inn and Toronto Botanical Gardens, both of which are TTC accessible and do not require much walking once you are there. I'm pretty close to TBG and based on what I've seen so far this summer things should really be hopping (er, I mean fluttering!) for the next few weeks! We visited the Guild Inn last Saturday and despite the crowds (for the arts festival) I saw monarchs, a white admiral and a few skippers feeding in the gardens and a female hummingbird also came by several times to feed in the south end of the gardens.

Also try Humber Bay east park and the Leslie Street Spit for monarchs starting in late August.

High Park can be excellent; in a good year the fields surrounding Hawk Hill (just north of Grenadier Cafe) can be full of monarchs but for the best shooting cross the road and walk down the paved path to the gardens surrounding the two buildings on the east side of the path. There's a stand of buddlea (butterfly bush) on the west side of the south building that attracts all sorts of butterflies but the gardens to the north and south are also great, especially for monarchs, painted ladies and red admirals.

Rosetta is also great (if nothing else you'll meet lots of nice people doing the raptor watch) and by mid September you may also see lots of migrating dragonflies and hummingbirds (watch the hanging baskets for hummers stopping to feed as they head west along the lakeshore).
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Howieh »


BoboBird

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Thanks Walter.

Btw, I am going to be at either Bluffer's or Rosetta tomorrow about 5'ish. Look for the guy in the blue t-shirt and funny looking beige hat. haha.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by BoboBird »


KPaw

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Hi everyone and thank you for your responses.   I live near High Park and had been disappointed not to see any variety there.. until yesterday morning after I posted my inquiry.  I found and photographed the following:

Cabbage White
Pink-edged Sulphur
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Mourning Cloak
Red Admiral
Eastern Comma
Viceroy
Monarchs

I was thrilled to see the Sulphur as I had never seen one before and, despite the wind, got some good photos.   I was staring right at the Mourning Cloak and didn't even recognize it as a butterfly until those wings opened to reveal the vivid blue spots...the two Swallowtails were huge and quite high up in the butterfly bushes.  For some reason, I just can't get a decent shot of the Red Admirals... they seem not to photograph very well.

Anyway, this was all right around Colbourne Lodge and also just near the pond (up the hill a bit) by the Ornamental Gardens.   I will check out some of the places suggested and thanks again so much for all your responses.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by KPaw »