We had a successful first field trip of the year for the Carolina Butterfly Society at Raven Rock State Park, Harnett County, NC on Saturday, March 22, 2003. Seventeen participants were treated to warm, sunny weather (the first time we had seen the sun shine here in 9 days). Fifteen identified species (not a bad total for March in NC) and other identified as "sp." only made for an enjoyable day. Randy Emmitt took photos of several of the azures. He reported to me that he sent five photos to David Wright, who confirmed the azures in the photos as Spring Azure (four males, one female). See two of the azure photos below.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 4
Cabbage White 1
Falcate Orangetip 33+
Sleepy Orange 16+
Brown Elfin 4
Eastern Pine Elfin 1
Elfin sp. 2
White M Hairstreak 1
Gray Hairstreak 1
Spring Azure 5
Azure Sp 35+
American Snout 5
Question Mark 2
Eastern Comma 2
Polygonia sp. 4
Mourning Cloak 4
American Lady 1
Juvenal's Duskywing 1
Duskywing sp. 1

A trip report is promised for the next issue of the Carolina Butterfly Society newsletter.

--
Paul C. Hart
Park Superintendent
Raven Rock State Park
3009 Raven Rock Road
Lillington, NC 27546

Likely a Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) male
on Chickasaw Plum.

Likely a Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) female