Puddling Butterflies at Chestnut Hill Farm

We were going to go on a whale watch today, but when we heard the ocean was rough from all the recent thunderstorms, we decided to wait until another day......We did go up to Rockport, Mass and walk Bearskin Neck.

Then we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Lobsta Land in Gloucester, Mass.  Yum!  I highly recommend their lobster quesadilla appetizer!  We spotted some Great Egrets in the marsh behind the restaurant, so we ran back there for photos after lunch.

Great Egret

When we got home, it was late in the afternoon, so I decided to take a walk at Chestnut Hill Farm since it's close to home and wouldn't take any time to get to it.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were several types of puddling butterflies in the parking lot and along the trail!  

Butterflies get some of their required nutrients from puddling.  Sometimes it looks like they are sitting on gravel or mud. There is some moisture that has absorbed the nutrients from the soil beneath it, and by drinking it, the butterflies derive important minerals.

Clouded Sulphur

Cabbage White

Clouded Sulphur

Eastern-Tailed Blue

Clouded Sulphurs

Eastern-Tailed Blue

Eastern-Tailed Blue 

(the only one not puddling)

Clouded Sulphurs