Search for October Derby Butterflies

Today is Day One of the Mass Butterfly Club October Derby, a fun contest to see how many species of butterflies club members can find during October, a time when the season is winding down and all but a few common species are easily located.  Last year, my personal record was a measly 11 species, but when you are working full time and the weekends have poor weather, that's what happens (at least that's my excuse).

Today at lunch I checked the Ashland Community Gardens, Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, and Queen Isabella Drive marsh and field in Ashland.  From these three stops, which were good spots for late season butterflies last year, I was able to find and identify only:

Cabbage Whites 20+
Clouded Sulphur 4
American Copper 1

It was 75 degrees and bright sunshine, optimal butterfly conditions, and it was nice to be out enjoying it.

Clouded Sulphur

Cabbage White

American Copper (very worn)