Duskywings at Sleepy Creek WMA

Posted on April 24, 2014 by admin

During lunch today I slipped over to the Sleepy Creek WMA in Berkeley County. It was still rather cool but the butterflies couldn’t wait to be out implying that they’ve had enough of this cold, windy spring. The first lep seen on the road leading into Sleepy Creek was a first of year Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo). Seems appropriate right? This species is fond of Oaks especially Scrub Oak. Also seen were Juvenal’s Duskywing (4) (Erynnis juvenalis), azures (5), a FOY Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) and a male Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea).

Posted in Blues, Duskywings, Swallowtails, Whites and Sulphurs | Leave a comment

California Metalmarks

Posted on April 23, 2014 by admin

I recently returned from a birding/vacation trip in southern Califormia and although it was a target birding trip I managed to get out and look for butterflies a couple of times. Unfortunately it was early for them and I only saw 6 species: Fiery Skipper, Cabbage White, Monarch, Red Admiral, and two Metalmarks (Fatal Calephelis nemesis and Behr’s Apodemia virgulti (formerly considered a sub species of Mormon Metalmark)). I had previously seen Fatal in Texas but the Behr’s was a lifer. These were both found at Mission Trails Regional Park just NE of San Diego.

Fatal Metalmark - CA

Behr's Metalmark

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Falcate Orangetips – Berkeley County

Posted on April 21, 2014 by admin

Due to Easter obligations I was only able to get out for a short while this morning but found a couple first of years (FOYs) at a friends property in Berkeley County near Hedgesville. With vegetation running late this year it looks like we’ll have an emergance of the “early” spring species and the “normal” spring species at the same time. I spotted two male Falcate Orangetips (Anthocharis midea) patroling the area and until today I had had never seen one set down to nector until this morning. I managed to get my first photos of this species (below). Soon after a FOY Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) was found basking on the trail. Other species seen where Spring/Summer Azures (7) and Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa). Things are looking up will only get better this coming week.

Falcate Orangetip

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Butterfly Gallery now on line

Posted on April 9, 2014 by admin

I finally got around to putting the butterfly captures I’ve taken over the last three years on the site. These shots are mostly from the local area but some are from Arizona, Texas and Washington. Even though a lot of these have already been sprinkled throughout postings over the past couple of years it offers a consolidated sub-family view. The link is at the top right of the blog.

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Spring trying to get here

Posted on April 6, 2014 by admin

With marginal temperatures I took a hike through the Shannondale Springs WMA. It was nice to find some new “First of Years” (FOYs) species. The first lep encountered was a tattered Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa). Also seen were a number of angle-winged Eastern Comma/Question Marks zooming by at a high rate of speed. I was only able to get on two of six and those were both Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma). The first azures of the spring  (Local reports by those much more knowledgable than I are saying that the “Spring form” of Summer Azure is the one in flight now… (Celastrina neglecta)) were out in good numbers (9). Hopefully by the end of this coming week others will have emerged. For more information on the local Azure complex check out this link: More on Azure ID

 

Can’t wait(:>

Posted in Blues, Brush-footed | 1 Comment