Butterflies in North Lambton!

It was an exciting day at the Pinery! We were hoping for an Olympia Marble and found our first one in the expected area of the park. The greenish yellow marbling is visible on the underwing. This uncommon butterfly is only 30-40mm across. 

Olympia Marble, upper wing pattern. They overwinter as a chrysalis.

Rockcress is a host plant for the Olympia Marble.

An unexpected bonus was finding a Brown Elfin during our lunch break. This was our second "Life butterfly" of the day! It is in the Gossamer-wings family characterized by small, delicate wings. They almost always hold their wings closed over their backs while perched. (The ROM Field Guide to butterflies of Ontario.) At this stop, we found another Olympia Marble!

Spring Azures are flying again. This butterfly ranges in size from 18-28 mm.

We made a quick stop at the Visitors Centre where lots of Red Squirrels were taking advantage of fallen bird seed from the feeders above.

Shorebirds can be viewed in water puddles on nearby fields. A flock of mostly Pectoral Sandpipers flew overhead in "arrow" formation. This flock of 135 birds swooped and swirled in a tight group for several minutes.

A patch of Bloodroot: Their petals are fragile and the plant will not likely be blooming much longer.