I spent another morning walking the wooded paths and grassy meadows at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary. Today the white dame’s rocket seemed to be the dominant wildflower towering above the tall grasses at the start of the main trail. I noticed so many different kinds of mushrooms and am embarrassed to say I am not at all up to speed on identifying all the east coast fungi - there’s a lot! As I walked, I began to hear a loud buzzing sound coming from a large crack in the bark of a tree. It didn’t know what it was at the time, but it was some type of very LARGE hornet. When I first made an ID, I thought it was the invasive Asian Giant Hornet, aka “Murder Hornet”. But upon further research, I realized it was actually a European Hornet and not its menacing look-a-like which is a threat to the honey bee. I continued through the woods observing all the ferns and fungi. I crossed paths with a coyote who slipped stealthy into the woods on a deer path as I headed up the hill towards the meadow. In the meadow, I saw a fluttering tiny earthy brown wings. Some were Dusky Wing butterflies and the others were Little Wood Satyr. It was an easy ID to make because in the meadow I met another butterfly enthusiast and he told me what they were. The Little Wood Satyr flutters low to the ground in late May and Early June announcing the beginning of summer. The Wood Satyr has two prominent eye spots on its forewing and one (or two if it’s a female) on its hindwing. Sometimes there’s a smaller spot near the body. In the ventral view, there are two distinct lines across both wings and two eyespots on the forewing and two on the hindwing with several smaller spots. Are you confused? I know I am. But that’s what makes butterfly identification so fun (and frustrating)! After spending time in the meadow, I was going to start heading back via the Turnpike Trail, but decided head back into the woods and hike down (and then back up) the steep hillside on the North Fox Trail. The sun was starting to peak through the trees and the bugs were getting, well, buggier, so I perfumed myself in some all natural bug repellent attempting to make myself less irresistible to the gnats. I spent a good long while at the sanctuary this morning and had a lovely time taking in the fresh air, enjoying the accompany sounds of birds and the flutter of butterfly wings.

Click “Read More” below for more photos from the day.