When I meet a new butterfly for the very first time, a lifelong memory gets created. I remember this day, back in 2016. Rose and Jerry Payne were kind enough to meet me at the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge. Happier than a duck!, what with the agreeable guidance of 2 accomplished lovers of butterflies, we headed to that swamp in the Refuge. Score! That’s where I met my first Southern Pearly-eye butterfly. Then there was my first Creole Pearly-eye butterfly. Triumphant, even after those hours of sloughing through dark, super-humid swamp, Rose asked: Is there any other butterfly that you’d like to see in the Refuge?
Yep. I’d be happy to see Silvery Checkerspots, Rose. Off we went. When they stopped and parked. Rose and Jerry spread out, and in moments, Rose called me over. This is my first ever Silvery Checkerspot! A very fine one, fresh and complete. Those white spots on the trailing edge of the hindwings sang to me. A Silvery!
What do I want to see in the coming weeks/months? Hessel’s Hairstreak, Elfins and Diana fritillaries. Yes, I know that’s asking a lot. The years have been kind, and now I can call many kind lovers of butterflies my friends. That so increases the odds for me. Happy, I am. I’ll return to Ohio in June and then to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in November.
Blame me?
Jeff
Winged Beauty Butterflies 
I have often seen butterflies resting on rocks for several minutes and wonder if there is a mineral in rocks they are consuming.
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Most of the butterflies that stop to sip moisture from rocky soil (trails) are males. Most male butterflies fly nearly non-stop, seeking females. Hours of flying causes muscle wear and tear, and great expenditures of energy. The minerals in the trail moisture are vital, for they are needed to synthesize replacement protein molecules, to enable ongoing flight and health. They are also used to produce the coenzymes used to maximize energy capture from food.
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Also, the males might need to rest after long flights and choose a rock that is warmed by the sun to keep them warm?
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Silvery checkerspots tend to inhabit limited territory. It’s been my experience that most of the small butterflies do not wander much from their chosen homes ( where they have found hostplants, nectaring plants and in some cases ample other nutrition). This Silvery was seen around noontime, on a very warm day. Thanks.
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