Sighting for July 16, 2021
Brian McGurgan
Hatcher Pass
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK
- Mustard White 4
- Freija Fritillary 4
- Arctic Fritillary 1
- Milbert's Tortoiseshell 16
Freija Fritillary
Milbert's Tortoiseshell
Milbert's Tortoiseshell
Freija Fritillary
Arctic Fritillary
Arctic Fritillary
New Sighting
A beautiful, relaxing day up above the tree line in Alpine high tundra. Mostly clear with bright sun, temperatures in the low to mid-seventies, and a strong breeze. Nice sightings of pika, Arctic ground squirrels, and marmots. Butterflies were mostly far and few between as we get later into the season here. Freshly emerged Milbert’s tortoiseshells were most numerous. The Arctic fritillary appears to be more specifically Boloria chariclea butleri, Butler’s fritillary (the local subspecies). Several sulphurs were seen but never close enough for photos or confident identification.