The Baltimore Checkerspot is one butterfly I rarely see even though it is said to range in the Great Lakes regions. We are the western most direction of their range I believe. They are found in bogs, wet meadows and marshes. This one was found in a wet meadow (where I was not about to enter and get wet). It was just resting.
What is interesting is the plants where they lay the eggs, Chelone glabra or turtlehead (wetland plant), Penstemon hirsutus or hairy beard tongue, Penstemon hirsutus or false foxglove, and Plantago lanceolata or English plantain. That is the place to look for them.
I am sure those south and east of me see them more frequently.
Beautiful picture of a beautiful butterfly Donna!
Thank you.
I do not see them here even though there are wet woods behind us, I have the right conditions with both host and nectar plants, and the lake is across the street. I would say if I went to the Nature Center in the bog garden I might see them which is a great idea! Thanks for sharing this beauty Donna!
Maybe they are not very common anymore. I never see them and was surprised to find this one.
Beautiful shots!
Thank you.
That’s a new one for me. Thanks.
I am always amazed to see a butterfly I would not expect. I thought more would saw they see them.
Yes, I see them on a regular basis but thought they were a variation of the monarch. This posting encourages me to be more diligent in my botanical identifications.
Glad you get to see them. I hope to see more of them.
It is always such a treat to see a creature for the first time. I have never seen this butterfly before. Thanks for sharing! (btw Donna, I tried to comment on an older post but there was no form available. Have you intentionally closed comments after a certain period of time? I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated the marsh birds and hoped you didn’t get eaten alive while getting the shots! haha)
Thanks. I too like finding butterflies new to me and uncommon in my area. I checked my settings and found WP had them set to 60 days. I unchecked it to allow comments without limitations. Thanks for letting me know. I don’t turn off comments here, but sometimes on GWGT.
Nice captures and presentation with progression from closed wing, to partially open, to fully open.
Thank you. It is always nice to have a willing or tired butterfly.
pretty. : )
Thank you.
That is a beauty! I don’t think I have ever seen it in the garden. Might be time to plant some Turtlehead!
Thank you. I think we are pretty close to their range, but do know they are around the Lakes. Hope you get to see them.
Exquisite detail! One can even see the tiny little ‘hairs’ on the grasses. I love that you captured this butterfly at several different stages of opening and closing its beautiful wings.