Longleaf Pine Preserve, Florida

We spent the morning walking the main trail at the Longleaf Pine Preserve in Volusia County, Florida. This trail always has interesting plants and butterflies. But with the current drought we knew that there would be less to be seen.

Fourpetel St. John’swort was in prime condition in the parking area.

Carolina Satyr (left) and Barred Yellow were easy to find. Larger butterflies included Clouded Sulphur, Zebra Swallowtail and Giant Swallowtail.

Pink sundew, which is normally abundant was rather scarce.

The only Dwarf Sundew that we found was in flower.

Zig-zag bladderwort which can be hit-or-miss was flowering in small numbers.

Yellow buttons was present in small numbers, but not flowering – yet.

Two different chocolate moths. Ruined chocolate on the left, Four-lined chocolate on the right.

And finally a Mournful Thyris, a new moth for us that Susan found.

More tomorrow…