Butterflies at Picnic Point

The earliest of butterflies in southern Ohio includes the charismatic Falcate Orangetip,  

wicked fast and no bigger than a nickle. One has to exercise patience to get a good photo of this wee beastie.  Its larval host plants are the early season mustards.

The view from Picnic Point in Shawnee State Park is stellar, and you might want to rest a bit after chasing all those tiny butterflies. From this vista we can see all the way to the Ohio River.

Another wee bit, the Gemmed Satyr.  Hardly the size of a quarter, but encrusted with "jewels".  The dusky colored flier is worth that second look, especially if you use your binoculars or macro camera lens.  Another early season favorite; larval host is Bermuda grass.

A little birdie told me...

Spring may seem a long way away, but I assure you it will be here in no time. Nature lovers and bird watchers everywhere will soon be celebrating the annual migration of the most spectacular display of miniature rainbows- the neo-tropical warblers.

 Canada Warbler-  photo by Dave Lewis

Winging across the continent on northward flights to their breeding grounds, these tiny birds can catch the imagination of  the winter-worn environmentalist and even the most jaded industrialist alike.   The story is as old as time, and many of us hope to spread the story through tourism and educational programs.  Ohio has a wealth of natural areas, birds, trees, flowers and insects that need our attention and protection.

The future world would be a better place if we started to cater to the needs of these species, as many are bioindicators.  When life here on earth is no longer suitable for them, it will not be long until it will not be suitable for humans either.

 Blackburnian Warbler- photo by Dave Lewis.

To get the complete spring experience, one will want to start in Shawnee Forest in southern Ohio  in late April /early May.  Flora-Quest makes it easy for you- our experts guides will take you right to the plants, butterflies and birds you are longing to see. 

Greg Miller will be leading our birding trip, and also a Birding Road Trip for the Biggest Week in American Birding.  If you want to do a full-sweep of warblers in Ohio, you'll want to start with us in Adams and Scioto Counties.

Registration is now open for Flora-Quest and will soon be open for Biggest Week in American Birding.

>Be certain to visit Dave Lewis at Birds from Behind blog and you'll see Ohio's birds from a whole new perspective.

Shawnee- Firetower Hike

Shawnee State Park and Forest, a breath taking view from the firetower.

Good fortune placed me near Portsmouth Ohio this weekend, in order to accomplish some Flora-Quest business.  The weather, low 60's in January, was too perfect to pass up on the opportunity to hike with some friends- starting at the firetower.

Speaking of breath taking, this is certainly the tallest firetower I have climbed. THAT was breath-taking!

 Jenny Richards led the hike and she started us out with a good look from the inside of the tower.  What a thrill that was!  I can't imagine the day when someone spent hours upon hour in that high roost top, watch for forest fires.

 Doug and Connie were along for the hike.  We have met before at Flora-Quest events.  One of the best parts of attending Flora-Quest in Shawnee is the interesting people you meet.

Bob Scott Placier and John Howard were along for the afternoon as well.  Both are excellent naturalist and guides for Flora-Quest. In fact, the top twenty reasons for attending Flora-Quest are the guides.

Most are full-time naturalists, many retired or currently working for the state. They have a wealth of knowledge to share and the small groups allow them to teach more about flowers, trees, birds, rocks and butterflies.

The trips descriptions for 2012 are nearly finished- and you will soon find them on line at http://www.flora-quest.com/.  Can't wait to see you there!

Lured by moonlight

Lured by moonlight

South, until road splashed into river

Dark hills of Kentucky

Echo our "Little Smokies"

...

Land of the Shawnee

Ours only to admire

Garlic scent of ramps clings to night air

as Whip-poor-will calls.

...

C. Boyd

Butterflies of Shawnee

Henry's Elfin photo Dave Riepenhoff

Dave Riepenhoff sent this wonderful photo of a Henry's Elfin recently seen in Shawnee Forest. Henry's is a dime-sized beauty that utilizes the Red Bud tree as its host plant, and in just a week or so, Shawnee will be a blaze with blooming Red Buds like the photo below.

Shawnee Red Buds photo Ian Adams

Flora-Quest has added a trip specifically for photography this year. If you are interested in taking better flora photos, Ian Adams will be teaching a fabulous workshop. Check out the details here. Butterflies and Flora will also be featured in 2009, and the amazing Jaret Daniels will be leading a workshop/ field trip combined. Jaret is the author of Butterflies of Ohio and this guy really knows his stuff. If you have an interest in butterflies, check out the occurrence list (below) for Scioto/Adams counties and you'll see we will pick up some nice rarities there!

More news on the butterfly front: Toledo Rare Birds has added a Lepidoptera section! Now butterfly folks can report their sightings. I don't know about you, but that adds the Pop! to my Snap and Crackle! It doesn't take much butterfly talk to get me excited about spring!