Monthly Archives: January 2013

In Northernmost Israel, We Find a Anthocharis Damone Syra Butterfly

Posted
Filed under Golan, Israel, Orangetip

Anthocharis Damone Sera Butterfly photographed in Northern Golan, Israel

March in northernmost Israel. The Golan region is spectacular. This trail that we are on is lined with wildflowers that are mostly all new to us. Our Anthocharis Damone Syra butterfly was not the first that we saw that day. It was the first to stop and nectar. That was good.

He was such a sweet treat to the eyes. As the yellow butterflies in the U.S., he came barreling down the trail, likely searching for a suitable female mate. But being a sensible fellow, he attended to his need for the nectar and protein that will fuel the many hours of flying that were ahead of him.

Travelling away from your home is such a rush, butterflies you have never imagined existed flying toward you…OMG! What’s that? Over and over again. As with our Anthocharis Damone Syra. What is it’s English name? Quien sabe? My field guides don’t share that.

Jeff

Maryland’s State Insect, the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly, on a Black-Eyed Susan

Posted
Filed under Checkerspot, Flowers Loved by Butterflies, Rector, PA

Baltimore Checkspot Butterfly photographed in Rector, PA

I cannot ever forget when this beauty flew from I know not where, to this black-eyed susan wildflower. I was just a few feet away and I’d never before seen Euphydras phaeton. I robotically lowered myself down onto my stomach and shot exposure after exposure, again and again. Moments went by and I was able to shoot out nearly an entire roll of slide film. Then it flew away, purposefully and soon it was out of sight. Happiness is . . .

This Rector, Pennsylvania field was full of nectar filled wildflowers on this July morning. Excellent habitat for Baltimores because it was a short distance from ponds that had turtlehead wildflowers at their banks.

A favorite in the state of Maryland, ranked officially as the State Insect.

We’ve posted that black-eyed susan wildflowers are infrequent landing places for butterflies. Here of course we are reminded that these observations are general and not meant to be all inclusive.

This was one of my very few encounters with a Baltimore Checkerspot. I’ve forgotten much of what happened yesterday, but I remember this encounter. I can’t remember seeing the tiny caterpillar which shares the flower.

Jeff