Regal Fritillary Butterfly Fort Indiantown Gap | Photographer Harrisburg, Pa

I have found that I am the most creative and I produce the best work when I feed my passions.  

Sounds simple, right?

I am beginning to realize just how simple this idea is.

Today's post is a #feedyourpassion post.  Soak it up, folks.  

Butterflies.  Who loves 'em?   ME.

Who wants to see them?  My daughter (and by default, my son).  Adventure time!

Regal Fritillary Butterfly:  RARE.  Only 2 counties in PA are host habitats to this gorgeous little ditty: Lebanon and Dauphin (FIG spans into both counties).

The biology folks at Fort Indiantown Gap (FIG) host a tour for the public to see these beautiful butterflies during peak season, in their native habitat, which happens to double as part of FIG's live fire training ranges.  Cool, right?

Even better?  
THIS:

Taking the tour and having two A-10 fighter jets flying evasive combat maneuvers overhead.  Talk about more bang for your buck (okay, so the tour was free, but you get the point, right?)  Anyone have the Top Gun theme song running through your head?  No?  Okay, how about now?  ;)

Anyhow, back to the butterflies.

The very, very knowledgeable biologists, guides and volunteers shared their findings, educated mini groups and walked through the 1.5 mile hike with us.  We stopped intermittently to view butterflies, share information on plants and habitats, talk about the birds, you name it!

 The following images were shot in a group of butterflies.  I was closer, so many of these have more butterflies just off frame.  It is a wonderful site to see!

"The Royal March"  This one happens to remind me of royalty...fitting, since the lone different butterfly in the front is the Regal.  :) 

There were a lot of bees around, none of which posed a problem.  This one seems to really like the Regal and this Milkweed he is feeding on!

While we were walking along, one of the guides found this extremely social Eastern Box Turtle.  

I learned that this particular species is becoming endangered in PA (apparently people liked to have these as pets?).  The guide allowed everyone to take a little look, snap some pictures, the biologists marked her and off she went.  I also learned that males have a curved bottom shell and females have a flatter shell.  This little one has a flat shell, so I am going to call her a female.  :)

This tour is one that you literally could take every time it is offered and not see the same thing twice.  The drive up to Fort Indiantown Gap is pleasant and it is really nice to get "out" of the city.  I will be headed back in the future to learn more about the fascinating creatures.

If you are interested in learning more about the Regal Fritillary, please visit the following sites:

The Nature Conservancy: Regal Fritillary
Regal Fritillary Habitat at Fort Indiantown Gap
PennLive: Regal Fritillary Tour

Bella Vita Photography is available for travel and if you are interested in more {photography outings}, don't hesitate to email us at sarah@bellavitaphotopa.com

Be Blessed.