Warmth of Spring is finally here, with butterflies.

Hi Everyone,

                  Late yesterday afternoon the sun finally came out and it actually felt warm. This morning, even pre-dawn, it felt very nice with a light fog or haze. By sunrise the air had the feel of spring finally as it was warm already. As the morning progressed the temperature rose nicely until after noon we were in the upper seventies and touched the eighties from two to six PM. Near two I went to the County park across the road from my house to check on two species that I can only find locally at that location. They are Eastern Pine Elfin and Falcate Orangetip. I must drive a few miles to get into the park as there are no legal entrances on my side of the park so a seven mile round trip ride is necessary. When I arrived there were a lot of fisherman parked in the lower lot, next to a large pond. I went the other way and headed down to a small stream that cuts through the bottom of the almost thousand acre park. After a short while I saw one Falcate Orangetip and then some Spring Azures along the wet stream edges. Later on higher ground I found another almost dozen Falcate Orangetips, almost all being males. On my way out I had a quick flying Eastern Tiger Swallowtail close to the parking lot. This is now the start of many more new year sightings. Best to you, Denis

Spring is finally here!

Hi, Today finally hit our first eighty degree day and accompanied by strong southerly winds and sun. This brought out a dozen Spring Azures, two Eastern Commas and a dozen Cabbage Whites to this neck of the woods. All butterflies were in nice fresh appearance today. This usually signifies the start of our season and now things can only go for the better. However the next two days are to rain and only be in the upper forties. This will quickly change and we will have warm weather later in the week. Here is a Spring Azure of the Violacea form. Best to you, Denis