I totally misjudged Ohio. We moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1990, this New York (Brooklyn) born guy had had enough of New York, and its steady decline. We lived in Pittsburgh for 27 years. Before Barbara Ann Case introduced me to Angela, I never considered driving into Ohio for butterflies, for where would I go? What would I seek? Was there good habitat in Ohio?

Angela led us to beyond excellent sites in Ohio in 2017. Parks, Reserves and privately owned land rich in native botany and just as blessed with wildlife and . . . butterflies. Kudos to the State of Ohio.

In Ohio’s southernmost county, Adams County, I met up with a fresh flight of more than 50 Northern Metalmark butterflies. Don’t doubt me on that count, for yes, I kept counting as that sweet meadow kept delivering more and more of the butterfly you see above, the tiny, but elegant Northern Metalmark.

The meadow’s name? Kamamama. I will long remember that name, and its Northern Metalmarks, Monarchs, Edwards Hairstreak, Coral Hairstreaks, Fritillaries, etc. For all of us now remaining in our homes, June in Kamamama would be . . . a dream of a dream.

Jeff