Summer of 2018 in central Massachusetts brought record high temperatures and rainfall, creating conditions that at times made us feel that we were living in the steamy tropics. It was often a challenge to get out in the field! A number of butterfly walks sponsored by the Massachusetts Butterfly Club took place, and it's hard to resist taking pictures of these pretty creatures.. Members who were outdoors enjoying butterflies, birds, and other critters in spite of the challenging weather shared some wonderful photographs.
 Common Sootywing ( Pholisora catullus) at Elm Hill Sanctuary, Brookfield. 21 July 2018, where it's main host plant Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) was present in large quantities. Photo by Alan Rawle  Early morning songster, a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), what else?  This Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) was caught in a ray of sunlight by photographer Anne Greene in Rutland. |  Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) with some leucistic plumage (lacking pigment so appears white), Rutland, June 2018. Leucistic characteristics show up fairly frequently in birds. Photo by Ted Purcell  Baltimore Checkerspot ( Euphydryas phaeton) 7 July 2018 DCR Kristoff Farm property, Sterling, was the only one of thisspecies found on the summer butterfly count. Photo by Alan Rawle  Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) in Rutland, June 2018. In the breeding season this flycatcher can be distinguished from look-alike Alder and Willow flycatchers by their distinctive "cheBEK" calls. Photo by Doug Wipf |  Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina) at Moore State Park, Paxton, June 2018. The unmowed fields at the Park were beneficial for odonates and butterflies as well as grassland birds. Photo by Bill Platenik.  Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) showing off its waxy red secretions on its secondaries. For a fascinating discussion of this feature, go to: https://blog.nature.org/science/2017/02/27/waxwings-really-have-wax-wings/ Photo taken in Hardwick, June 2018 by Alan Rawle.  Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta) dragonfly. |
 Basking Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) in Hardwick, June 2018. Photo by Alan Rawle  A Promethea Silkmoth (Callosamia promethea) landed on Rutland photographer Anne Greene's leg while she was in her yard in June. These beautiful moths have no mouth parts and do not feed in this adult stage. Their sole occupation is mating and egg-laying. |  The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) infestation of the past couple of years continued throughout much of southern Worcester County. This female Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) was carrying a gypsy moth caterpillar to feed nestlings in June at Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick, where they are common nesters. Photo by Alan Rawle  A Common Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia) shares the grassy fields of Moore State Park in Rutland with many other insects, animals, and birds. |