Monthly Archives: February 2020

Tropical Leafwing Treat

Posted
Filed under Leafwing, National Butterfly Center, Mission, TX

Tropical leafwing butterfly photographed by Jeff Zablow at the National Butterfly Center, Mission, TX

More than 20 years of wanting to photograph a Goatweed Leafwing butterfly, without a single image to my name. I’ve seen Goatweeds, in Pittsburgh and in the Mississippi Delta, but yes, not a single image.

This was a Happy! shock to me, when Nancy and John pointed out this Tropical Leafwing, she not too distant from our trail at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas near the border wall. She did fly from one perch to another, but she at least gave my minutes each time to s-t-r-e-t-c-h as far as I safely could to shoot her.

I shoot Fuji Velvia slide film, this 100 ASA for less than sunny locales. My film is wonderful for real-time color, and this is a fine example of the rich, deep, satisfying color of our butterflies. She was just as striking in appearance as you see here.

Don’t always agree with their political leanings, but truth be told, the National Butterfly Center attracts butterflies that you never, never forget!

Jeff

N.B., I plant Alabama Crotons in my Georgia garden, just in hope of attracting those elusive Goatweed Leafwings, they very native to Georgia.

Fine Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak

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Filed under Hairstreak, National Butterfly Center, Mission, TX

Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak Butterfly photographed by Jeff Zablow at the National Butterfly Center, Mission, TX

Face to face with that large black spot, it bordered by that orange-juice Julius ring, and I smiled, for this was a fresh Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak butterfly. Atlanta flight to San Jose, Texas, next that 4 hour-drive to our accommodation in Alamo, Texas.

The next days were filled with butterflies not seen in the New York City metropolitan area, or in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or west of Phoenix, or Israel, or the Mississippi Delta or Toronto or Savannah or the Georgia Piedmont.

Found along the southeast corridor from California to Texas, I love the colors: gray, black, white, orange served up with bands, chevrons, arrow-heads, etc.

Seen at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas near the border wall.

A Clint Eastwood Butterfly, as in Make My Day.

Jeff

Meadow Winged Beauty

Posted
Filed under Fritillary, Raccoon Creek State Park, PA

Meadow Fritillary Butterfly at Rector, PA

Many of us know the beauty of a fresh Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly. When I lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I’d go to Nichol Field, their 100+ acre meadow. On those summer mornings I’d often see dozens of Great Spangled Fritillaries, in that amazing meadow. I’d sometimes see Ranger Patrick Adams those mornings, and I’d congratulate him on nurturing such a glorious meadow at Raccoon Creek State Park.

Every once in a while, when I would wade into the chest high grass there, I’d spy a smaller, different Fritillary butterfly. It flew in an almost awkward manner, flew low, and I’d become electrified! A Meadow Fritillary butterfly! Here’s one that cooperated, stopping to nectar while I shot away.

Seeing a Meadow Fritillary was exciting, for others were bemoaning the increasing absence of Meadow Frits. Jeffrey Glassberg in A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America noted an “expanding range in some areas while disappearing from others.” He sure was correct, for they seem to have become much less common in western Pennsylvania.

Seeing a Meadow Fritillary? Energizing!

Jeff

Love & Skipper Butterflies (Clay Pond, NY)

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Filed under Clay Pond Preserve, Frewsburg, NY, Skipper

Skipper Butterfly II photographed by Jeff Zablow at Clay Pond Preserve, Frewsburg, NY

We were in high grass, working our way along the perimeter Clay Pond in very western New York State. This wetland preserve was rich in grasses and the wetland pollinating flowers you’d find in a pond habitat.

Barbara Ann is expert identifying native orchids, and I’ve been seeking butterflies since what? 1995?

It’s the little Skipper butterflies that I have much difficulty identifying. Lehman, Pyle, Zirlin and some others of you are more adept at determining the Skippers.

I love these little pookie butterflies, especially when they are fresh, vividly colored, and I admire their energy, purposefulness and courage, what with so many predators about.

Curt, Bob, or Harry, can you help with ID’ing this robust fella, with his long proboscis and splashed of bright yellowish orange?

Thanks.

Jeff

Rare Pygmy Blue View

Posted
Filed under Blues, Locations for Butterflies, Shellman Bluff, GA

Little Metalmark butterfly at rest, photographed by Jeff Zablow at Shellman Bluff, GA

Glassberg’s wonderful A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America notes that “Eastern Pygmy-Blues rarely open their wings when landed.”

I’d remembered that. After quite a long time spent shooting them in Shellman Bluff, Georgia, this small miracle happened. I came upon a fresh Eastern Pygmy Blue butterfly that landed, for a brief moment. Then . . . it opened its wings and kept them open for moments!

I must have smiled from ear to ear, for this “rarely” is seen.

Here is a rare view of butterfly beauty. I took it. I much appreciated this opportunity, this day in Shellman Bluff.

Jeff