GRSF yesterday

[Rick Borchelt]

While the afternoon was mostly heavily overcast (with rain eventually by around 5 pm) and I was mostly botanizing anyway, there is now extensive dogbane (both species, Indian Hemp and Spreading) and some milkweed in full bloom.  There was one patch on Oldtown Orleans just past the Mertens Ave overlook turnoff that had at least 30 Great Spangled Fritillaries and a few Zebra Swallowtails; if it had been sunny I would lay good money on this being a hairstreak magnet too.  The upcoming weekend would be worth checking out the back roads in Green Ridge. 

Always worth keeping an eye out for Aphrodite Fritillary here, but I don't think there are any records east of Garrett Co since 2010 (https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/record/1007081)

Expected rainfall should bring out more emerging species, and bodes well for good nectar supplies for Northern Metalmark toward the end of the month (if the roadsides aren't mowed -- they haven't been yet this year). 

--

Rick Borchelt
College Park, MD
preferred personal email:  rborchelt |AT| gmail |DOT| com

http://leplog.wordpress.com