September 20, 2021 Sleepy Orange (Abaeis nicippe)
Since my last report I recorded 11 observations of 6 species, bringing the 2021 annual butterfly total in my garden to 505 (and approximately 29 total species). The garden at last received a nice rainfall Tuesday and Wednesday. Flowers have perked up and I hope more butterflies will venture this way.
Butterfly Sightings 9/17/2021 – 9/24/2021
09/17/2021 Red-banded Hairstreak – Calycopis cecrops 1
09/17/2021 White M Hairstreak – Parrhasius m-album 1
09/17/2021 Ocola Skipper – Panoquina ocola 1
09/18/2021 Ocola Skipper – Panoquina ocola 1
09/18/2021 Cloudless Sulphur – Phoebis sennae 1
09/18/2021 Red-banded Hairstreak – Calycopis cecrops 1
09/20/2021 Sleepy Orange – Abaeis nicippe 1
09/20/2021 Monarch – Danaus plexippus 1
09/23/2021 Red-banded Hairstreak – Calycopis cecrops 1
09/24/2021 Cloudless Sulphur – Phoebis sennae 1
09/24/2021 Ocola Skipper – Panoquina ocola 1
Last report listed 21 observations so this week’s tally is down. Had I counted “little orange skippers” I could have matched that total, but they have been skittish and I could not get photos. Most looked like Fiery Skippers but I do not trust my instincts enough to name them without pictures to back up the identification. I did find a few Ocola Skippers; they are easier to know.
September 17, 2021 Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola)
There were a few more Hairstreak sightings, one White M and several Red-banded. There is just a hint of the blue dorsal view but I couldn’t get a photo of one with open wings.
September 17, 2021 M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) on Dahlia ‘Petra’s Wedding’
September 23, 2021 Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) On Rudbeckia fulgida (Orange Coneflower)
September 17, 2021 Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
During this period I saw my first Cloudless Sulphur of the year (September 18) with another sighting today (September 24).
September 18, 2021 Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
September 18, 2021 Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
This butterfly seems willing to nectar on a variety of plants—I saw the one today alight on gardenia, several salvias, cleome, perennial sweet pea and dahlias. The salvias may have held the most allure. Both days I managed the best photographs on the salvias.
September 24, 2021 Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
Thought this next image is cropped and not well-focused, today I managed to catch an open-wing view of the Cloudless Sulphur.
September 24, 2021 Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
I chased a Sleepy Orange around for quite a while the other day, eventually getting a close-up look.
September 20, 2021 Sleepy Orange (Abaeis nicippe)
It settled briefly at lots of plants including this weedy one I have been trying to eliminate from the garden. I cannot remember its name at the moment but it spreads by runners and has travelled far and wide. At least it is providing some nutrients to the Sleepy Orange.
September 20, 2021 Sleepy Orange (Abaeis nicippe)
It was interesting to see the open-wing view of this butterfly.
September 20, 2021 Sleepy Orange (Abaeis nicippe). Open-wing, dorsal view.
Monarchs are endearing and always a welcome sight. This one’s wing has a slight fold or wrinkle that I worried about. Common lantana is a favorite nectar source.
September 20, 2021 Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
September 20, 2021 Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Happy Butterflying or enjoying nature in any way you can.
pbmGarden 
You did well capturing photos of the cloudless sulphurs. I rarely manage to even though they’re perhaps the most common butterflies in my garden.
Cloudless sulphurs are fast little things and cheery. I had not seen one this year so had the incentive of wanting to document its visit.
You have had an amazing number and range of butterflies, Susie!
It’s been interesting to count butterflies this year. The counts are down across the state. NC has about 180 species and I’m nearing 30 so a long way to go. Many might not be seen in a garden setting though.
You have done yeoman’s work this year tracking your beautiful visitors.
It’s felt good to have a little project I could do with just a few minutes each day. Rewarding and full of surprises.
Chasing butterflies is a nice way to spend the day.
I’d enjoy some guided butterfly walks sometime but for now I pop outside for a few minutes at a time.
This has been an excellent series; great idea to catalogue your visitors!
I appreciate your comment Tina. So glad you’ve enjoyed seeing the butterflies. I’ve learned a lot.
Sleepy Orange and Cloudless Sulphur… such great names! Your butterfly shots are lovely. Too bad about the Monarch… it must have been in a crowded spot when it eclosed. It may be fine despite the handicap.
Thanks Eliza! I wasn’t sure if the monarch wing would be a problem. Certainly hope not.
29 species! That is impressive! Your garden must be supplying plenty of nectar and larval host plants to have that many and that variety. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos and the information.
Thanks Beth. Some rain last week gave new life to the garden. Hope more butterflies find their way here for a visit.
Lol, I thought the ‘sleepy’ was your descriptor, but I see that it’s not! You’ve got a great garden for butterflies. Watching and recording them is a delightful activity.
Ha! Not sure why the Sleepy Orange carries that name. It’s pretty fast when it want to move. Thanks for reading!
This was wonderful. What a great project!
Thanks so much! I’ve had fun watching for butterflies and it’s been great getting to share them.
We have a similar sulphur butterfly here, as well as various hairstreaks which all look so remarkably similar I find it hard to identify. Lovely photos Susie. 😃