I was shocked to go back and find the main field with butterfly weed and other wildflowers has been mostly cut to the ground in prime season for the butterflies. I was told by a Nature Conservancy volunteer, they planted them by mistake instead of the grasses they received a grant to plant so are the staff are cutting everything now so they can replant in Oct. Very sad not to wait another 4-6 weeks. Below are some of the butterflies from the day. I missed missing any Zebra swallowtails but happy to see mating Sleepy Orange.
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| Mating Sleepy Orange |
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| Great Spangled Fritillary |
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| Summer Azure |
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| Orange Sulphur |
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| American Lady |
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| Eastern-tailed Blue |
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| Monarch Caterpillar |
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| Eastern Tiger Swallowtail |
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| Clouded Sulphur |
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| Great Spangled Fritillary |
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| Pearl Crescent |
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| Clouded Sulphur |
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| Common Buckeye |
I love this time of the summer when there is an increase in butterflies, both the species and the numbers within each species. I can sit and enjoy them more here in PA since I don't have the the area of gardens I had in NJ. Those gardens took much more energy but had the rewards of many, many more butterflies and many visitors who came to see the butterflies. I miss my butterfly peeps but enjoy having the time to just enjoy what I am doing here in PA. Today, I had the first Common Buckeye of the 2023 season arrive in the yard. The hummingbirds are numerous with the male hummingbird protecting "his" feeder from all other takers. I, frequently, see 3 hummers fighting. I also have a feeder set up in the front garden.
Common Buckeye -year butterfly #28
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| Red Admiral on rotting fruit |
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| Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
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| Even the Snowberry Clearwings were fighting today! |
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| Snowberry Clearwing |
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| Mint fresh Red Admiral |
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| Red-banded Hairstreak hiding in the phlox |
Ice Cream Postcard Swap this month. Boy, I do miss Fleck's!
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| From Miriam in Ireland |
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| From Carole in PA |
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| My postcards sent to both of them. |
I see Snowberry Clearwing moths fairly frequently in my yard. They seem to multiple from early August. They love the phlox most but I have seen them on other plants including the Lantana, Zinnia. I also see from 1 to 3 of them nectaring at a time. They are much more prevalent here in my yard than in NJ.
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| Caspian Tern |
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| Ruby-throated Hummingbirds |
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| Watch out - incoming! |
This was my first visit to Middle Creek, made better by going with birding friends, Herb & Betty. There wasn't much in the way of birds but the butterflies were not in great quantity but enjoyable. Out on a trail, Betty found a Snowberry Clearwing moth caterpillar. I was excited as I have always heard the caterpillar was cool looking and now I was able to see that for myself. Lots of nectar in the form of False Sunflower and some Joe Pye weed. Planting at the Visitors Center brought in 3 Clearwing moths ~ Snowberry & Hummingbird. The visitors center had awesome displays of many preserved birds. It was well worth a visit and it would be worth a second visit also.
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| Snowberry Clearwing moth caterpillar |
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| Monarch |
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| Silver-spotted Skipper with Hummingbird Clearwing moth |
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| Hummingbird Clearwing |
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| Hummingbird Clearwing |
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| Eastern Tiger Swallowtail |
A visit to the Holtwood Nature Center in Lancaster County, PA yesterday. First visit but will go back. First time seeing Zebra Swallowtail in PA. 22 species of butterflies seen. Lots of nectar for the butterflies and host plants.
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| Zebra Swallowtail |
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| Eastern Tiger Swallowtail |
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| Eastern-tailed Blue |
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| Grand Spangled Fritillary |
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| Sachem |
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| Sleepy Orange |
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| Gary Hairstreak |
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| Common Buckeye |
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| Monarch |
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| Zabulon |
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| Pearl Crescent |
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| Variegated Fritillary |
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| Zebra Swallowtail |
