Wings along a Gravel Road!

A 10 km gravel road NE of Peterborough was recommended to us for butterflies. A grader was working on the road that day, but we still managed to find several species of butterflies including some lifers. Above, a White Admiral, landed on the edge of the disturbed road for nutrients and salt.

I don't recall ever seeing a butterfly land on a lily pad, but it was the chosen rest stop for an Eyed Brown!

Silver-bordered Fritillary on Orange Hawkweed - a Lifer!

Arctic Skipper - another lifer!

A Clearwing Moth, enjoying the Orange Hawkweed. INaturalist identified it through AI as a Diervilla Clearwing Moth, but I haven't been able to confirm the species name.

Indian Skipper, another species not typically found in SW Ontario.

Calico Pennant, female. When looking straight down at the abdomen, several heart-shaped spots are clearly visible.

North America's smallest dragonfly is the Elfin Skimmer. This black and yellow individual, somewhat resembling a wasp, is a female.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/106516-Nannothemis-bella

The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail is found in the Canadian Shield. It has a wider black stripe along the inner margin of the hind wings than the Easter Tiger Swallowtail which is found in the Carolinian zone in southern Ontario. 

The ROM Field Guide to butterflies of Ontario, Peter Hall et. al 2014.

In addition to probing along gravel roads, animal excrement is another excellent source for salts and nutrients. At our lunch stop, we parked right next to some "fresh-ish" bear scat being enjoyed by 3 Northern Crescents and a Harris's Checkerspot (on the right). An odour was still lingering!

Lunch was not spent beside the bear scat, but off the road by this beautiful meadow!