Hello-My name is Patty Lambert from Richford. I
went for a walk April 8th and saw 7 of the same small butterfly. I was totally
unprepared as I thought it was too early to see any. It was sunny but breezy,
early in the month and only 45 degrees. I just volunteered and don't go to a
training till June 6. I had never seen this butterfly before and had no net,
jar, camera etc. Luckily it let me creep close and I cupped it in my hands and
went home to put it in a jar to study then send in. I looked at both my field
guides and the e nature site and couldn't find a match. Is it OK to leave the
name space blank on the voucher card if this ever happens again? What do the
spaces on the back of the card mean where it says nectar and host plants. Do I
list the plants in the area where I see a butterfly? The butterfly I saw was
amazing. I thought it was orange but when it landed on the dirt road it was the
same color as the road. The top was brown with a couple small beige notches.
While holding still with wings flat, you can't see any orange but when
fully open there is an orange crescent on the inner margin of
both hind wings. The underside is orange with a thin brown band at the
bottom, two brown notches on the side and between the brown notches it was
yellow. It was about one inch across. There are very few colt's foot on the
roadside, nothing else blooming and no houses where I saw them that would have
crocus or other early garden plants.There is sap running and a few
insects.They kept landing on the road or side of the road. Could they have been
interested in the road salt? I will try to find another specimen in
case it doesn't arrive in good shape. Yesterday was 40, cloudy and breezy so
none seen. Today it is snowing. Does it sound familiar? Thanks for any
info.Patty