Eastern Neck NWR Butterfly Garden Visit

.

The Bayview Trail at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge passes through their Butterfly Garden, a certified Bayscapes garden created using native plants to create a wildflower garden, a living fence, and a water garden. (For those interested, a list of plants used is at the end of this post.)

Here are my best of those butterflies passing through a couple weeks ago that gave me nice photo ops.

.

Pearl Crescent

.

Pearl Crescent

.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

.

Common Checkered Skipper

.

Common Checkered Skipper

.

Monarch

.

Monarch

.

Monarch

.

American Lady

.

American Lady

.

I also encountered a dragonfly flirting with me.

.

Blue Dasher

.

And, of course, a bird! They were shooting up on flower heads for seeds and then dropping again out of sight. I was able to get just one goldfinch.

.

American Goldfinch

.

Hundreds of butterflies can be seen in this garden during the peak of summer. I’ll be eager to see and share them with you next year!

.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge Bayscapes Garden – Plant List

Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
Coast Azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum)
Early Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium vacillans)
Butterflyweed (Asclepias tublerosa)
Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)
Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Gayfeather (Liatris spicata)
Pink Coreopsis (Coreopsis rosea)
Blue Flag (Iris versicolor)
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
N.Y. Ironweed (Vermonia noveboracensis)
Black-eye Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Beebalm (Monarda didyma)
Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensia)
Mist Flower (Eupatorium colestinum)
Virgins Bower (Clematis virginiana)
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolis)
Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa)
Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina)
Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata)
Lizard’s Tail (Saururus cernuus)

.

Tags: American Goldfinch, bird, birding, birdwatching, Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Neck NWR, Eastern Shore, images, Maryland, Monarch, nature, photographs, photography, photos, refuge, wildlife

56 thoughts on “Eastern Neck NWR Butterfly Garden Visit”

blhphotoblog on 10/19/2021 at 4:28 PM said:

Very nice Donna. I’m torn between the 2nd American Lady and the mono Monarch as my favourite image.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/19/2021 at 7:12 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Brian! I was hoping you’d get a chance to see this post. 😊 You have picked my two favorites, over which I am torn too.
  
  Reply ↓
tootlepedal on 10/19/2021 at 4:41 PM said:

A great set of pictures Donna.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/19/2021 at 7:13 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Tom!
  
  Reply ↓
neihtn2012 on 10/19/2021 at 4:52 PM said:

Not too many people go through Eastern Neck, at least the two times I was there. But you went and got those inspiring shots show above. Thank you for sharing them.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/19/2021 at 7:15 PM said:
  
  Thank you kindly, Hien! Yes, it is less visited because it is so far out of the way….which I fully love! 😉 I hope to delight in the upcoming years the marvels of this refuge as I learn its nooks and crannies. I can’t wait for the Tundra Swans to show up late November!
  
  Reply ↓
Ken Dowell on 10/19/2021 at 5:03 PM said:

Great photos.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/19/2021 at 7:16 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Ken!
  
  Reply ↓
belindagroverphotography on 10/19/2021 at 5:32 PM said:

What a garden! The pearly crescents are beautifully lit and the skipper is wonderful, and new type to me 😊

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/19/2021 at 7:26 PM said:
  
  Isn’t it fabulous! I read one butterfly count during a summer day yielded over 1,100 butterflies consisting of 28 species. I may have to start a butterfly count with photos… 😉
  
  Reply ↓
susanhale828gmailcom on 10/19/2021 at 5:35 PM said:

What a wonderful variety! You have always planned your ‘resting spots’ so well – living i Cambridge you were close to Blackwater and now in Rock Hall Eastern Neck and the Chesapeake Farm are both so close to you. What smart choices – and wonderful excuses for never having to stay home and do ‘housework’!!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/19/2021 at 7:32 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Susan! I can only imagine what this garden will be like this coming summer. Yes, it is good to pick living near what you love to do! The perfect excuse!! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
aussiebirder on 10/19/2021 at 6:23 PM said:

Beautiful shots of beautiful insects Donna

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/19/2021 at 7:32 PM said:
  
  Thank you very much, Ashley!
  
  Reply ↓
creatingmindblog on 10/19/2021 at 6:43 PM said:

Beautiful photos, Donna! This garden looks amazing. Filled with wonderful wildlife. A dream destination!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/19/2021 at 7:38 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Simon! I am eager to visit it next spring/summer when it becomes fully alive again. I just mentioned in another comment that one summer day count yielded over 1,100 butterflies of 28 species. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
katebabphotography on 10/19/2021 at 8:38 PM said:

LOVE the dragonfly picture! Such character!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/19/2021 at 9:00 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Kate! I love its ‘smile’ too!
  
  Reply ↓
The Hinoeuma on 10/19/2021 at 9:19 PM said:

Oh my goodness! Love the butterflies! Isn’t the first Monarch on Ironweed?

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/19/2021 at 9:32 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Vic! I don’t know, lol.
  
  Reply ↓
  - The Hinoeuma on 10/19/2021 at 9:40 PM said:
    
    I just looked it up:
    https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VEAL
    
    Reply ↓
    - bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 7:54 AM said:
      
      👍 thanks!
      
      Reply ↓
      - The Hinoeuma on 10/20/2021 at 7:50 PM said:
        
        Welcome!
Gunta on 10/19/2021 at 10:14 PM said:

You’re so brilliant with things with wings! 🤗 Spectacular images.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 7:57 AM said:
  
  Thank you kindly, Gunta! Ahhhh…..’things with wings’…..sounds like a great post theme! 😊
  
  Reply ↓
Tofino Photography on 10/19/2021 at 11:05 PM said:

Love love love butterflies Donna! They seem so happy in their flittering here and there!
and great shots too btw! The Monarch has always been my favourite! I would inspect them on Milkweeds when I was a kid! Actually of my first introductions to Nature now that I think about it!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 7:59 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Wayne! They are so fragile and amazing! Monarchs must have been the ‘intro to butterflies’ as a kid because I remember learning with them too. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - Tofino Photography on 10/20/2021 at 3:53 PM said:
    
    the life cycle and migration of the Monarchs is an absolutely amazing story! I’d love to visit their Wintering grounds!
    
    Reply ↓
Lisa Rest on 10/19/2021 at 11:13 PM said:

What a wonderful spot! Great butterfly photos – reminding me how I miss seeing them already. I have never seen an Eastern Tailed Blue! Very special.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 8:00 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Lisa! It will be fun to return to this garden throughout the year for the changes and the visitors! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
mic on 10/19/2021 at 11:44 PM said:

👌👌👌📷the world of butterflies is fascinating, colorful and fragile … perfect shots🌹🦋☀️😘

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 8:01 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Mic, I very much agree! Truly amazing! 😊
  
  Reply ↓
picpholio on 10/20/2021 at 5:24 AM said:

What a beautiful collection of butterflies ! I saw some realy great shots in this series 🙂

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 8:03 AM said:
  
  Thank you very much, Rudi! 😊 I think I’ve found the perfect garden to visit year round!
  
  Reply ↓
Barbara Rodgers on 10/20/2021 at 7:46 AM said:

Very nice collection of butterflies but that dragonfly captured my heart! Fantastic shot!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 8:04 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Barbara! Isn’t that dragonfly’s smile adorable?!! 😊
  
  Reply ↓
Irene on 10/20/2021 at 7:52 AM said:

Great pics. I would love to see that butterfly garden. Your dragonfly capture is my favorite. 😊👍🏽

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 8:05 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Irene! It will be fun to visit here throughout the seasons. 😊
  
  Reply ↓
Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography on 10/20/2021 at 9:15 AM said:

I don’t think I have ever looked at an American Lady, thanks. Now I’ll pay more attention. Beautiful !

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 9:50 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Ted! The American Lady was an awesome surprise for me, at glance while shooting I thought it was a Painted Lady. I’m in desperate need to up my game on butterfly specie ID. lol
  
  Reply ↓
Christie on 10/20/2021 at 11:51 AM said:

Great photos Donna! The little goldfinch reminded me of the bunch of them I had in my garden last year – they very much enjoyed the seeds of the Cosmos flowers🙂

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 5:54 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Christie! It’s entertaining to watch them hang on and nibble away! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
circadianreflections on 10/20/2021 at 12:11 PM said:

Those are all gorgeous, Donna! The Painted Lady reminds me of the Common Buckeye that we have out here.

I’m already looking forward to your summer visit! 😀

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 5:57 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Deborah! That’s an American Lady, girlfriend! 😉 LMAO I knew what you meant! hehe This is my first American Lady butterfly, I’ve always seen the Painted Lady. But I get the comparison with the Common Buckeye! 😁
  
  Reply ↓
  - circadianreflections on 10/20/2021 at 6:39 PM said:
    
    😀
    
    Reply ↓
Jane's Heartsong on 10/20/2021 at 1:43 PM said:

I love butterflies. So interesting to see the smiling face on the dragonfly.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/20/2021 at 6:00 PM said:
  
  I agree, Jane, they are so fragile, precious, and quite amazing creatures! Don’t you just love when a dragonfly flirts with ya?!! 😉
  
  Reply ↓
Reed Andariese on 10/21/2021 at 1:55 PM said:

Very nice Donna! Great variety of butterflies images! Fun to see!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/21/2021 at 8:55 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Reed! Should be exciting next summer for sure with hundreds at once!
  
  Reply ↓
The girl with camera 📸 on 10/22/2021 at 1:43 AM said:

I mean just WOW!! What a photography. Butterflies are indeed beautiful. And these photos are really stunning. Are butterflies really difficult to capture on camera?

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/22/2021 at 8:51 AM said:
  
  Thank you very much! Best time is on a breezeless day, and then have fun with the challenge. You might be surprised it’s not too hard!
  
  Reply ↓
  - The girl with camera 📸 on 10/22/2021 at 9:45 AM said:
    
    Oh really. I should try taking one!!
    
    Reply ↓
Martha Johnston on 10/25/2021 at 8:50 AM said:

I’m adding this NWR to my must-see list! Thanks for sharing the plant list too. I was glad to see that I have most of these in my native plant garden.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 10/26/2021 at 8:47 AM said:
  
  You will love this garden, Martha! I’ve read during butterfly counts, over 1,100 butterflies of 28 species have been seen in one day. 🤗
  
  Reply ↓
thewanderingempath on 11/13/2021 at 6:33 AM said:

I love butterflies and your photos are just amazing.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 11/13/2021 at 9:50 AM said:
  
  Thank you very much!
  
  Reply ↓