Sighting for May 28, 2023

Very cloudy with brief periods of sun, breezy and 51° from 3:30 to 5:15pm. It’s been cool, overcast, and rainy all week, so when the sunlight began breaking through the clouds this afternoon I rushed up to the trail. As with my Large Marble sightings at this location one week ago, all individuals today appeared to be male based on the bright white dorsal hind wing color with lack of yellowish cast. Perhaps the females haven’t eclosed yet. When the sun became concealed by clouds I followed the Large Marbles closely until they settled, and then got good opportunities for close observation and photos. While laying on the ground beside the trail photographing two Marbles, I saw movement in the brush and a porcupine emerged nearby. I took photos of the porcupine too, although the sound of my camera’s shutter startled him and he shuffled off quickly with quills raised. The Mustard White was a first of year sighting for me.