Hairstreak Mania at Reid CA

 Today I stayed local, checking out McKeough and Reid.  I did quite a bit of walking checking birds for atlas records and looking at things along the way.

Not often we see hummingbirds around here, but this one caught me eye.  At least I could mark this down for the atlas!

I started at McKeough and noted some leps including several Banded Hairstreaks.

Some others...

Delaware Skipper

Common Wood Nymph

Northern Pearly-eye

Next stop was a little further south at Reid CA.  By this time it was getting quite hot, but I carried on.  I checked 'hairstreak heaven' first.  It is just crazy the number of hairstreaks!

I think this year I have seen more hairstreaks than I ever have.  2008 was the last 'big' year I remember.  There was a lot more Common Milkweed then, and this next scene reminds me of that.  I saw this just before I left today.  Just crazy!

I found at least ten Oak Hairstreaks in the first 15 minutes.

Two for the price of one

Damaged Goods

Many are getting quite worn, so they will not be out much longer.

There were also some Striped.  I have yet to see an Edwards'.  I have had big numbers of those in the past, but it has been a few years.  Strange how things go.

I decided to walk around the perimeter of the back field.  It is an interesting walk, but I did not see anything spectacular though.  Lots of Banded Hairstreaks and a few Hickory along the way.

Back at hairstreak heaven, there seemed to be more hairstreaks.  In total I probably saw 300 Banded Hairstreaks at Reid today!

Lots of dragonflies were around, and you need to check them out, especially at Reid.  There has been a good variety over the years, and you never know what may show up.

Something new for me at Reid today was a Slaty Skimmer.  A female.  They are not too common in these parts.

Four-spotted Skimmers are common at Reid though.

On to another week...  Skunk's Misery butterfly count is next Sunday.  Hopefully the weather is good, lol.