The Viceroy
The Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) has probably fooled you before. It gets us all at one point or another. Monarch butterflies come to mind much more readily for nearly everyone even as their population has plummeted in recent years. In comparison to the Monarch the Viceroy has a smaller, leaner and more aerodynamic appearance to me. The key distinguishing feature is a postmedian black line across the veins on the hindwing which the Monarch lacks. The Viceroy also flies in a lazier, drifting fashion with the wings often spread horizontally, almost coasting along for small stretches....
Read MoreBaltimore Checkerspots looking magnificent
I have been very lucky to have success finding several Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) butterflies in the gardens of RTPI in the past month. These uncommon but unmistakable creatures have all been nectaring on our flowers, mostly partaking in the Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). Spotting and photographing them is always a wonderful midday break on a warm, dry day so I figured hey, why not share some more of the photos? Sometimes you have to stop and simply appreciate a beautiful species like this one that reminds us all while we care about nature, work for...
Read MoreEight-spotted Forester (Alypia octomaculata)
This is another sort of sighting from my Connecticut yard archives, the Eight-spotted Forester (Alypia octomaculata). The diurnal moth species is conspicuous in appearance and looks more like what we think of as a butterfly. This individual, resting on the side of the porch, flew off after a few photos and did not let me get close. And let me tell you, they are fast!
Read MoreMonarchs moving
I have finally been seeing more Monarchs recently and recorded several passing through the grounds of RTPI in the past few weeks. However, they have been essentially doing only that – moving by and not cooperating! I was sitting down in our garden last Friday changing lenses and naturally that was one when decided to stop and feed directly in front of me. I fired off literally two shots before it moved on. How are their numbers looking to everyone else across the continent?
Read MoreOrange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
When we have had dry conditions here in Western New York during the first days of August I have seen a lot more butterfly activity with both common and scarcer species emerging and becoming more abundant. It’s always a terrific month to find butterflies on the wing while some of our breeding birds are already beginning to migrate to the south. Here’s an Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) from the gardens at RTPI.
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