Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Croatan plants and butterflies


White M Hairstreak, Parrhasius m-album Quite the find, I've been visiting Croatan National Forest for over 10 years and could not recall seeing this hairstreak or anyone else seeing it. Once home I checked and it is a new county record for this species. So this makes 50 out of 100 counties in NC that White M Hairstreak has been recorded and Craven County moves up from 92 species to 93 species of butterflies.


Black Swallowtail, Papilio polyxenes This mated pair was found in Croatan National Forest and the photos was taken from a distance because of a 6 foot wide ditch full of water. I looked around and found Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot) was thier only host plant nearby.

Reversed-Roadside Skipper, Amblyscirtes reversa
This little skipper is one of the rarer and hard to find roadside skippers found in North Carolina.

Meadow Beauty, Rhexia alifanus These flowers were nearly everywhere in small number along the roadsides and in the powerline where I took this photo.

Trumpets, Sarracenia flava These pitcher plants are found in huge numbers given you know where to look for them.

Flytrap, Sarracenia purpurea This pitcher plant stays low to the ground until it sends out this beauty of a flower.

Flytrap, Sarracenia purpurea I took this pitcherplant photo a few years ago earlier in the season.

Trumpets, Sarracenia flava wow

Common Wood Nymph, Cercyonis pegala We saw several of these satyrs all very fresh and the eye patch seems oranger than the ones we have in the Piedmont. This species varies widely from the East Coast to the West Coast.

27 comments:

Warren Baker said...

That Hairstreak was quite a find then! had a purple one on my patch today.
well done randy

Jean Campbell said...

Outstanding photos; great shot of the Swallowtails. The summer butterflies are slow to gather here this year. Tropicals are starting to bloom, so I expect more in coming weeks. I think we were impatient last year at this time as well.

I did see an American Painted Lady seeking out cudweed this morning.

Cheryl said...

The hairstreak is a lovely butterfly.....what an amazing capture....

I just love the insect eating plants....love their structure and upright form. I was looking at some at a nursery today......

Shady Gardener said...

I see a hairstreak occasionally, but that's all I know about them. I'm really not "up" on differentiating them at all. I hadn't seen a "Blue" for along time, either, until just the other day. Those are wonderful plants (and photos of them!). :-) I hope you continue posting for a LONG time.

Jan said...

What great luck to capture the hairstreak and to be able to help increase the # seen and recorded in the county! Great shot of the swallowtails. I haven't seen a one yet. Last year by now I had seen a bunch (or so it seems in my memory...) I should record the date this year. Interesting plants too, esp. pitcher plant.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I love seeing what you find. You definitely know the right places to find the butterflies and plants!

Entangled said...

I caught a glimpse of a Common Wood Nymph yesterday, but didn't have the camera handy. It would be interesting to compare the orange patch. I never noticed the tiny streak of teal at the edge of the wing before.

Rhexia mariana (Maryland Meadow Beauty) has just started to bloom here.

Michelle said...

Wow! Wonderful photos of lovely butterflies and exotic flowers.

sweetbay said...

Beautiful photos Randy. I especially like the first one.

We have a couple of Meadow Beauty species here -- they are lovely.

Meems said...

Wonderful hairstreak. I had one on a leaf the other day... need to look up which one is was. You know your stuff and it is always fun to come see what you've found. I like that wood nymph too!
Meems

Anonymous said...

Randy, you have some wonderful photos on your blog! And I really love the first one of the Hairstreak on this post. I've never seen a Hairstreak here.

ShySongbird said...

Beautiful photos, I love the Black Swallowtail, such a striking looking Butterfly. I also loved the Pitcher Plants.

Q said...

These are amazing photographs! Love the Hairstreak.
I have a Venus Flytrap behind the kitchen sink. I like the way it keeps the kitchen free and clear of flies.
Looking forward to catching up with you and your world!
Sherry

tina said...

Those pitcher plants are really most beautiful.

Heather said...

How very cool to be able to up the number of species found in your area. I am always in awe of your finds as well as the photos of them.

Chloe m said...

Wonderful photos, I enjoyed the close-ups of butterflies! I have never seen any of these in real life, but your pictures are as good as that. Thanks for posting, and also following me. I look forward to seeing more of your outstanding photos. I am just starting to be interested in photography, so I am learning from the best. Saving up for a good camera!
Rosey

Helen Yoest @ Gardening With Confidence said...

Hey Randy and Meg,

Just found your site through Anna at Flower Garden Gal. I'm in Raleigh. Love you photos. I wish I had wood nymphs, but have not been able to attract them.
Helen Yoest

JRandSue said...

Beautiful Photography,loved it all.
John.

JRandSue said...

Great series of beautiful flowers and outstanding butterflies.
Lovely treat.
John.

Unknown said...

I love the shot of the swallowtails and the hairstreak. So beautiful! As for the blooms (the pitcher plants, especially) liked seeing all the fine details.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Randy- Have a nice photo of a dragonfly on my lastest post that needs your expertise. Please.

Just Jenn said...

Always you have amazing photos - love the pitcher plant pics too!

Kelly said...

...exquisite butterfly photos!! Beautiful blooms as well...

Doug Taron said...

Great series of photos. Rhexia is a plant I've always wanted to see but never have. Our Cercyonis pegala have no orange at all on them.

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