Last Fall when I moved to Williamsburg I was thrilled to discover Monarchs, swallowtails, sulphurs and a variety of other butterflies in just my own yard and garden. I spent the winter in anticipation of more to come in the Spring. My garden, as it turns out, is a slow bloomer. My fingers are crossed for a strong showing.
(All photos by Deborah Humphries, unless otherwise marked.)
But the CVWO Butterfly Garden at Jamestown Marina, which is a short jaunt from my house, is exploding with all the right stuff, right now. I have gone there nearly every day, twice most days, for the past month — cataloging and experiencing a crash course in Lepidopterology of butterflies. Particularly when Brian Taber is there to guide and expand on the nuances of each species.
At last count, there were 31 species in the month of June. It is a rare treat to learn the butterflies, anticipate the nectar source blooms and check the host plants for eggs and larvae in one place. With resident experts at the ready it’s an all-in-one experience.
A selection of species appearing in the garden on any given day (in June) were:
Spicebush Swallowtail
Summer Azure
Question Mark
Wild Indigo Duskywing (typically not seen 'till July)
Sachem Skipper
Delaware Skipper (photo by Brian Taber)
Least Skipper
Fiery Skipper
There are Monarch and Sleepy Orange larvae on their respective host plants as I write.
There are a myriad of dragonflies (I will spare you the list for now) as well as every imaginable pollinating bee and flying insect (they will ignore you!) The area surrounding the garden is filled with exceptional birds including Osprey, Great Blue Heron, nesting Mockingbirds (they are the true owners of the garden in case you think otherwise), Blue Grosbeak, Summer Tanager, Pileated Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, Orchard Orioles and American Goldfinches to name a few. Eagles, hawks and vultures are overhead often.
We can expect sulphurs, fritillaries and more swallowtails as July progresses. It truly is hard to leave as you simply do not know what might fly in next.
— I am Guest blogger, CVWO volunteer and butterfly newbie Deborah Humphries
