Interactive Butterfly CD
Butterflies of the
Carolinas & Virginias

I had to go to Durham and arrived just before 8:30AM and stayed till around 10:00AM. I was getting my oil changed and inspection so I walked the little power line across from the service station while waiting for my truck. Surprised to see so many butterflies this early in the morning.

Durham County:
15+ Colias species mainly Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
3 Edward's Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
1 American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)

Most of this was found in my yard or on a walk in the neighborhood from just after noon to 1 PM. Seven Falcate Orangetips here is a huge number here! The Great Purple Hairstreak flew in while I was photographing a Falcate Orangetip it was a pleasant discovery, yet it exited as quickly as it appeared. I found some small white flowers along New Sharon Church Rd not 100 yards from my mail box, this spot had 4 Falcate Orangetips and one male was chasing a male Cabbage White for 4-5 mins it was quite a chase, finally the Cabbage White rested on a leaf for my camera.

Orange County:
1 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) fly by.
1 Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) male chased by Falcate Orangetip!
7 Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea) all males
23+ Colias species mainly Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
2 Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
1 Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus) in my yard!
2 Edward's Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
2 Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) maybe more than two.
1 Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
3 Juvenal's Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)

Around 2 PM I ventured up into Person County to check my local haunts, most now have no trespassing signs or new developments under way. The hairstreak was my first find but it was back lit and flew off as I was attempting ID. I ruled out White-m, Red-banded as I saw no blue, likely a Gray or Henry`s Elfin but Juniper could have been possible as well.

Person County:
1 Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea) male
6 Colias species mainly Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
1 Hairstreak/elfin species
4 Edward's Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
6 Juvenal's Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)

All Photos taken with my D30 and 180mm macro lens.