Wood Nymph Butterflies’ Yellow

Posted April 23, 2020

Common Wood Nymph Butterfly photographed by Jeff Zablow in Clay Pond, NY

The Wood Nymph butterfly on the left was seen in Clay Pond Refuge, near Frewsburg, New York.

The Wood Nymph butterfly on the right was seen in Raccoon Creek State Park in Hookstown, Pennsylvania.

Frewsburg is a 3-hour drive north of Hookstown.

The stark difference in absence of yellow patch on the forewings and presence of large yellow patch on forewings fascinates me. Populations living some 200 miles apart, and Big differences in coloration/’eyes.’

I’ll long remember seeing the Wood Nymph butterflies of Raystown Lake in Central Pennsylvania. They had Huge patches of very bright yellow! When Barbara Ann (“OBM) introduced me to Clay Pond, and I met the yellow-less butterfly seen above, Wow! was I puzzled.

Dang! I wish I was a student again, so much to explore/study.

Jeff

Viceroy Butterfly on Hostplant

Posted April 23, 2020

Filed under Kelso Swamp, Fayette Township, PA, Viceroy

Viceroy Butterfly, photographed by Jeff Zablow in Kelso Swamp, Fayette Township, PA

Scrolling down our Media Library, I stopped when I reached these 3 images of a Viceroy Butterfly. I was in Kelso Swamp in Fayette Township in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Viceroys are easily spooked, meaning that if I try to get closer for a better image, this handsome Viceroy will go. Be gone.

That inviting blue sky, the Viceroy resting with wings fully extended, wings that were full, fresh and beautiful, made this image a keeper for me.

Looking at our celebrity butterfly here, during this stay at home thing, inspires me, much.

Viceroy gazing, is difficult to do, for finding a Viceroy when you’re far from a pond, creek or lake, and far from its chosen willow trees and shrubs . . . is a chance in 50,000.

Jeff

Kamamama Bounty

Posted April 23, 2020

Filed under Kamama Prairie Reserve, OH, Metalmark

Northern Metalmark Butterfly photographed by Jeff Zablow at Kamama Prairie Reserve, Ohio

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

Northern Metalmark Butterfly On Oxe-Eye Daisy

Posted April 22, 2020

Filed under Lynx Prairie Reserve, Adams County, OH, Metalmark

Northern Metalmark Butterfly on Oxe-eye Daisy photographed by Jeff Zablow at Lynx Prairie, OH

Home like 99% of you are, thanks to the COVID-19. More and more I use my time well, reviewing and enjoying our Media Library of what 900+ images. I sit here, in our new sunroom (we moved) and what can I say? I love and revel in those images, reminding me of times, places and incredible good luck that has been visited upon me.

With Barbara Ann Case’s passing recently, I recall trips made because of the kindness and cooperation of her friends, i.e., Angela.

Here’s such an image. I’d already met Little Metalmark butterflies in Georgia and Fatal Metalmark butterflies in the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas. Here is the day in 2018 when I met Northern Metalmark butterflies in Adams County, Ohio. Angela and Barbara Ann (OBM”) guided me to Lynx Prairie Reserve, and I hit the jackpot, finding a fresh flight of more than 50!!

This Northern Metalmark butterfly is nectaring on Oxe-Eye Daisy.

Especially love Metalmark butterflies. That scintillating threading of metallic gleam just electrifies me, it does.

Jeff

I Saw The Red Rim Butterfly

Posted April 21, 2020

Filed under National Butterfly Center, Mission, TX, Red Rim

Red-rim butterfly on leaf photographed by Jeff Zablow at the National Butterfly Center, Mission, TX

We were in the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas near the border wall. John and Nancy prepped me with the forewarning that we might, might see very rare butterflies. It was the week of Christmas, and I was puzzled. How could we see real rare butterflies in the dead of winter?

The Crosbys were so right! Here is a look at one of the rarest of butterfly visitors to the United States. The Red Rim butterfly, It stayed there in that semi-darkened stand of trees, some 15 feet or so away from me. I was shooting with my Canon Macro- lens, and struggled to cop the very best images that I could.

That broad band of red, on an otherwise black butterfly? Striking and I think that I thanked G-d for the treat that was presented before me.

I saw the Red Rim. Few can ever say they did.

Jeff