Hibernation Time!

While not as cool as many places in the U. S., Mississippi begins to feel the cool air of autumn by mid-November down by the Gulf Coast. Even before the humans felt it, the creatures of the air and land did. In the past few weeks, little yellow sulfur butterflies have passed through, landing on the fall's wildflowers that are blooming so prolifically. Gulf fritillary butterflies are abundant. Bright orange with a few black spots on their wings, they are often mistaken for monarchs from a distance.

I told the story of Frogbottom at www.mississippiwild.com . Frogbottom and his friends - tiny green tree frogs - had, over the summer, taken up residence by my parents back porch light every evening. Now though, as the air cools, fewer of the little fellows come to eat. We suppose that within a few weeks, they will all have found a snug place to sleep in the woods nearby until springtime. Their return along with the return of warm weather will be welcome!