Noticeably larger than the more common Woodland Skippers. Quite fresh, it too, visited our Buddleia.

Today, September 2, we had a pair of Mormon Fritillaries visit our yard. They spent a long time nectaring on our Buddleia. Here in our Kootenay region, Mormon Fritillaries are usually found at high elevation, so having them visit us in town is unusual. This is only the second time in 16 years, they've made an appearance.

Last winter our Buddleia looked as if it had died. But it has resprouted and recently flowered. Butterflies and other insects are attracted to this introduced plant, and we've had visits from a Mormon Fritillary, Hydaspe Fritillary, Common Wood-Nymph, Hoary Comma and many Woodland Skippers.

This has been a slow year for butterflies in and around our property. We've also done some traveling so it's possible we've missed some action. Currently, we've a Hydrangea in bloom and it is attracting butterflies. Today, a Hydaspe Fritillary sought it out. Our lone buddleia had frozen during this past winter, but has rebounded. It's only beginning to blossom now. It usually attracts lots of butterflies.

About a year ago, a Duskywing flitted through our yard, but I was unable to photograph it. My brief study of the bug suggested it was a Dreamy, but without a photo, I never recorded it. Now, a year later, another Duskywing has appeared in our yard. Again, it didn't stay long, but I did manage to get a photo this time, and it's most surely a Dreamy Duskywing. This is the 56th species to be documented on our property.

Our first Silver-spotted Skipper has arrived on our property. This is an annual visitor to our yard and we never get tired of its company. At some point, others will show up and they'll duke it out.

Within the next several days many flowers will start to bloom on our property. Today, we had a Western and Pale Swallowtail visit one of our Lilac bushes, a Western Tailed-Blue visit our Yarrow and a pair of Juniper Hairstreaks, ssp: Rosner's, visit a flowering maple.

It's been a wet and cool Spring limiting butterfly action in our yard. A few blues and swallowtails have paid a visit, but they rarely land. Arctic Skippers have come and gone, and a couple of Tortoiseshells and Commas have also come and gone. Looking forward to a bit more sunshine and warmth in June.

Today, April 15, we had both a Compton and Milbert's Tortoiseshell visit our property.

Today, March 18, I photographed in our front yard a Hoary Comma, ssp: zephyrus. It's early spring and this is the first butterfly to appear on our property this year.