many different species | Winged Beauty Butterflies

Gray Hairstreak photographed by Jeff Zablow at Fort Federica, Saint Simons Island, GA

I asked Virginia where should we go to find butterflies, on her beautiful St. Simons Island? Months later there we were, at Ft. Federica. The British built that fort there in the 1700’s, and it was now a historic site, for visitors.

Of course she was right, for we met many different species of butterflies in the fields and meadows of this fascinating military relic. St. Simons Island has become a playground for the rich, and its butterflies too enjoy this bucolic site.

Here’s a handsome Gray Hairstreak butterfly, fresh and resplendent, especially its orange/reddish spot on it hindwing.

Meeting a Gray? Like greeting a good friend, is how it feels.

Jeff

It’s early afternoon at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland. As a rule I only photograph in the morning. I try to quit by 11 A.M., before the sun overhead denies my images of all of the creases and shadows that make an image memorable.

But there I was at Blackwater, and it was teeming with fresh butterflies of many different species. So there I was on October 6th. I had lots of water and so I violated my own working rules = don’t photograph after 11:30 A.M and stop when it gets hot. So I shot away!

Euptoieta claudia so reminds me of why I enjoy doing what I do. It is as beautiful as any fine jewelry produced by the finest jewelry designers. When I’m 12″ away and see what you’re seeing, it’s uplifting. Yes it is.

And like magnificent jewelry: you see it, you admire it . . . and then it’s gone.

Jeffrey