VA and MD

[Mark Walker]

I'm on a short trip to Chantilly, VA, but  was able to get out late on
Friday and early Saturday.  The weather on Friday was approaching 80
degrees, while the temps this morning barely reached 70 F.  Nevertheless it
seems that the cold spell that rolled through here last week is over.  I was
pleased to see so many leps on the wing.

I visited Bulls Run Regional Park in Northern Virginia after 3:00 p.m. on
Friday.  The Zebra Swallowtails (Eurytides marcellus) were quite common,
along with the largest number of Polygonia comma (Eastern Comma) I've ever
seen flying in one place.  Also common were Cabbage White's (Pieris rapae)
and Juvenal's Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis).  The highlights of the
afternoon were the Falcate Orangetips (Anthocharis midea), although they
were not common and were looking rather tired.  Butterflies were still on
the wing when I left at 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday, I drove into Maryland (on my way to Baltimore), and stopped for
some lepping at Patuxent River State Park in Montgomery Co.  Although I
arrived early, things didn't start happening until after 12:00.  Except for
the Duskywings, there were far fewer leps on the wing today.  I was pleased
to see a rather large diversity, however.  My highlights today were a White
M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album), a very large Eastern Pine Elfin
(Callophrys niphon), and a slightly worn Erynnis brizo (Sleepy Duskywing),
which was hiding among hundreds of Juvenal's.  The hiking was quite good in
the park, and it was good to get a little eastern lepping in for a change.

My list from Bulls Run, 4/27:

Papilio glaucus (Tiger Swallowtail)
Eurytides marcellus (Zebra Swallowtail)

Pieris rapae (Cabbage White)
Anthocharis midea (Falcate Orangetip)
Colias philodice (Clouded Sulphur)
Colias eurytheme (Orange Sulphur)

Everes comyntas (Eastern Tailed Blue)

Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescentspot)
Polygonia interrogationis (Question Mark)
Polygonia comma (Eastern Comma)
Nymphalis antiopa (Mourning Cloak)
Vanessa virginiensis (American Painted Lady)
Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral)

Erynnis juvenalis (Juvenal's Duskywing)

--------------------------------

My list from Patuxent River, 4/28:

Papilio glaucus (Tiger Swallowtail)
Eurytides marcellus (Zebra Swallowtail)

Pieris rapae (Cabbage White)
Colias philodice (Clouded Sulphur)
Colias eurytheme (Orange Sulphur)

Callophrys augustinus (Brown Elfin)
Callophrys niphon (Eastern Pine Elfin)
Parrhasius m-album (White M Hairstreak)
Everes comyntas (Eastern Tailed Blue)
Celastrina ladon (Spring Azure)

Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescentspot)
Polygonia comma (Eastern Comma)
Nymphalis antiopa (Mourning Cloak)
Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral)

Erynnis juvenalis (Juvenal's Duskywing)
Erynnis brizo (Sleepy Duskywing)

Mark Walker
back in Oceanside

 
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