TWO MORE NEW COMMON BUTTERFLIES

Hello Spring and everyone. On this first day of Spring 2012 I had to take my wife to Delaware for a doctor's appointment. The area is only about thirty miles east of my location and only ten miles from the beginning of the 'arc' of the Delaware/Pennsylvania border. This arc is said to be the boundary because of the part of a circle around New Castle, Delaware. The two butterflies were seen in the Augustine Beach area  of Port Penn, Delaware opposite a nuclear reactor/power plant across the Delaware River on the New Jersey side of the river. The Augustine Beach area was formerly a well used swimming and recreational area, only to be closed 25 or so years ago because of health concerns. The area has a nice sandy beach and a five or more acre grassy field next to the huge parking lot. The parking lot is now used almost exclusively by fisherman as there is now a boat launch area there with a jetty jutting out to slow tide movement while loading boats onto trailers. Enough geography and history and to the new butterflies. They were, as you guessed, Orange Sulphur and Clouded  Sulphur or nothing earth shattering. Not a one of these have been seen at home, however I do see many White Sulphurs daily at home. Here are some older pix to view. Best to You, Denis

My first PA Butterfly.

Hi and today it is much warmer with abundant sunshine to make it feel even better. Today is a gorgeous spring day and I had my first butterfly while sitting on the tailgate of my pickup truck along the woods edge of last years cornfield. A Mourning Cloak flew in from Southeast to Northwest just twenty five feet from me. It was large and fresh so I assume a newly hatched individual. I had been looking in the woods and edges for weeks for an early butterfly to no avail. Also at lunch time a Cabbage White flew by the kitchen window for a  double header today. Here is a Mourning Cloak from my collection of pix, and a Cabbage White group.  Best to you, Denis

First Butterfly of 2012!

Hi and it is the start of butterfly 'season' 2012. I had my first butterfly of the year in Claymont, DE on February 27th. As one of the early ones expected  it is no shock to hear the words, Cabbage White or White Sulphur is it? At least it is a start, but in a month or so these will be so abundant as to be a problem in my garden and not appreciated as much as now. Cabbage Whites do show a bit of yellow on the under-wing and seen while perched. I had my first SE PA Cabbage White on March 11^th or almost two weeks later than Claymont. Here is a breeding pair from a few years back. Enjoy the start of 2012. Best to you, Denis