Late season observation

[Richard L. Hardesty]

Reporting from NW Montana.

The weather up in this neck of the woods (10 mi. W. of W. Glacier & thus
Glacier National Park) has been unseasonably warm of late -- a record
high was recorded a few days ago (mid-50s), but even so, we haven't seen
anything lep-wise for some weeks, until today, 18 Nov 2001.

A very fresh-looking Red Admiral (_Vanessa atalanta_) was closely
observed in the yard here in Hungry Horse.  Initially spotted flying
during a sunny episode (it rained quite a bit last night & thus we saw
only a few meteors) this morning at about noon Mountain Time, it landed
in a Douglas-fir as the cloud cover began to return.  We shook the tree
to dislodge it in order for me to get a good look at it, and it flew
very slowly right at me, but even so, rusty as I am, I missed netting
it.  But I got a very clear look at it.  It was bright and fresh,
looking like it had but recently emerged.  Air temperature was about 40
- 45 degrees F, plus the warming effect of the sun.

This is without a doubt the latest I have observed any lep (other than
the hibernators) on the wing in this area!

-- Richard L. Hardesty
    Hungry Horse, Montana


 
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