First Butterfly, non-overwintering type of 2011

Hi Everyone, Today I finally saw my first Cabbage White, not an overwintering adult species. It was not in SE PA, but as I live on the Mason/Dixon or Maryland/Pennsylvania state line it would cut half of my immediate home area out if I ignored this piece of real estate. So, today in Port Deposit, MD there was a lone Cabbage White flying on a honeysuckle/wooded and quite rocky hillside that butts up to the Susquehanna River. This area is about 4 miles above where the Susquehanna empties into the Chesapeake Bay. Now the Susquehanna is running quite full as last week we had 3 inches of rainfall in a little over one day. This date is the usual time to start seeing Cabbage Whites and soon the blues will suddenly show up everywhere, so it won't be long before the list grows quickly. Best to you, Denis

1ST BUTTERFLY OF 2011 FOR South Eastern Pennsylvania

Hi Everyone, Today, while walking in the woods with my Golden Retriever Buttercup, I saw my first of the year Butterfly. Today was mostly sunny, windy, under a strong sun and temps in the low fifties. As we walked on a partially shaded path, a Morning Cloak flew up and circled a couple of times and landed again. It was only twenty feet away and a pine tree was good cover to use for getting closer for a photo. This butterfly was a tad cooperative and allowed two shots before flying another forty feet. I was satisfied with the two shots I made and decided not to stress it as the winter is just subsiding and its reserves must be low. Thanks, and have a great day, Denis