August 21, 2021 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
This week I recorded 33 observations of 9 species, bringing the annual butterfly total in my garden to 445. It has been very dry and hot and I have not spent much time outdoors lately so this is actually a surprising count. The numbers are helped by having a daily supply of Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, including a dark female morph on several days.
August 23, 2021 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Butterfly Sightings 8/20/2021- 8/27/2021
8/21/2021 Black Swallowtail – Papilio polyxenes 1
8/21/2021 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail – Papilio glaucus 1
8/21/2021 Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) 1
8/21/2021 Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) 1
8/21/2021 Sachem – Atalopedes campestris 1
8/22/2021 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail – Papilio glaucus 5
8/23/2021 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail – Papilio glaucus 5
8/23/2021 Sachem – Atalopedes campestris 1
8/23/2021 Ocola Skipper – Panoquina ocola 1
8/24/2021 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail – Papilio glaucus 3
8/25/2021 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail – Papilio glaucus 3
8/25/2021 Sleepy Orange – Abaeis nicippe 1
8/27/2021 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail – Papilio glaucus 1
8/27/2021 Monarch – Danaus plexippus 1
8/27/2021 Sachem – Atalopedes campestris 1
8/27/2021 Sleepy Orange – Abaeis nicippe 1
8/27/2021 Fiery Skipper – Hylephila phyleus 2
8/27/2021 Ocola Skipper – Panoquina ocola 2
8/27/2021 Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) 1
A Monarch stopped by the garden this afternoon but wouldn’t let me near.
August 27, 2021 Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
While I was trying to get a close-up photo of the monarch I encountered some other butterflies I would not have noticed otherwise.
August 27, 2021 Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
August 27, 2021 Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus)
August 27, 2021 Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola)
I saw a first-of-year Sleepy Orange on August 25 with another sighting today. I have better photos of this species from previous years. All images this week were rather poor, but I was excited to add another species to the 2021 count. [Note: Wikipedia lists the binomial as Eurema nicippe.]
August 25, 2021 Sleepy Orange (Abaeis nicippe) -First of year
Today the Sleepy Orange was nectaring on Salvia uliginosa ‘Blue Sky’ (Bog sage). Glad to see it getting some respect.
August 27, 2021 Sleepy Orange (Abaeis nicippe)
August 27, 2021 Sleepy Orange (Abaeis nicippe)
Happy Butterflying or enjoying nature in any way you can.
pbmGarden 
Wonderful shots as usual, Susie. You have me wondering how many different species of skippers I may have visiting here without my realizing it.
Glad you saw a monarch… they must be beginning to migrate, I would think. I ended up with a dozen viable chrysalises– I’ve launched 7, 5 to go. Always a thrill when I release one into the world. 🙂
How many different species have you observed so far this year? Is 445 the total of sightings?
So exciting that you’re guarding the monarchs, Eliza. Are you tagging before releasing them?
Yes, 445 is the total number of individuals from 27 species.
Great numbers! 27 species is impressive.
No, I looked into tagging them and I don’t hatch enough to make it worth it. It’s enough for me that they have a good start in life. 🙂
Amazing numbers visiting your garden, such a lovely variety.
Thanks Pauline. It’s been eye-opening to monitor the butterflies this year. Last year I observed only about 40 butterflies and this year it’s more than 10 times that, just from paying better attention.
That is an impressive list.
Thanks. I am amazed how many butterflies have been around, hiding in the open.
You have a great variety of butterflies and wonderful shots!
Thanks Tina! Very fortunate to have seen about 27 species around my garden this year. I’m blown away.
Sleepy Orange is new to me. Wonderful shot of the Monarch. 😃
Thanks Cathy. Hoping to see many more Monarchs. Sleepy Orange is a pretty butterfly, fairly common in NC I think but I see them rarely in my garden.
You are certainly getting lots of opportunity to perfect your photography skills. Great photos.
Thanks Judy. I have enjoyed “trying” to get some interesting pictures of the butterflies this summer. My trick is to choose quantity and hope some come out in focus!
Loveliness! Thanks so much for sharing. Isn’t it magical to observe and photograph butterflies?!
Thanks Beth, yes I’m so enamored of butterflies this summer.