Dainty and Sweet

After a much needed holiday break, it's time to get back to posting again. What better way to start the new year with something "dainty and sweet:"

As I have pointed out in previous posts, flower blossoms are far and few between this time of year. Pollinator insects that survive through the winter rely on whatever they can find in bloom. The Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole) is one of the most winter-hardy of the butterflies having a year round flight. This Dainty Sulphur was taking full advantage of the White Sweetclover (Melilotus alba) blooming along the river bank.

White Sweetclover was introduced from Eurasia to the United States in late 1600s most likely for honey production and livestock forage. It was also considered to be an excellent plant for soil reclamation. As with so many introduced plants, the Sweetclovers have become invasive as they can quickly produce a monoculture, especially in disturbed riparian areas.

This set of photographs was taken along the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River on Thursday, December 19, 2013.