Butterflies in the Lowcountry...

Coastal Master Naturalists Association member, and gentleman extraordinaire, Tom Austin shared some of his wide depth of knowledge with CMNA through the Think & Drink (Zoom presentation) on Wednesday August 12, 2026, Butterflies with Tom Austin. If you didn’t get a chance to participate live, go back and watch the recording as it was very informative and entertaining.

On Saturday, August 15th, Tom led eight CMNA members in a nature ramble in the Meggett County Park. (See banner photo, R-L Cami, Bill T., Kim W., Terry H., Tom Austin, Elizabeth B., Scott W, Michael P., and Debbie Seabrook taking photo.)

Of course we wanted to see butterflies, but all of nature is interesting to this group. As I pulled in to park the first of 4 butterflies fluttered in and landed nearby, posing for the capture.

Palamides butterfly photo by Debbie Seabrook.

And while we were in the parking lot getting organized there was a quick fly by of a larger light yellow butterfly, probably a Cloudless Sulphur.

Tom told us about our SC butterflies; several migrate to us and should be showing up soon, including the Cloudless Sulphur. I didn’t realize that many butterflies migrate.

As we walked through the wide trails in the forest Tom described how the different flora indicated the type of soil habitat was underneath. There were ridges and dips because this is a former dune environment and the plants help us decipher that.

Tom talking about the land around us. Photo by Debbie Seabrook.

Tom found a caterpillar in a rolled leaf of a native indigo plant. (always look!).

First instar of a Zabulon skipper photo by Terry Hartnett.

If you have walked at Meggett County Park before you might remember a small lake on the right side of the main path. Tom told us this was a “Borrow Pit” previously excavated for fill dirt to build up trails or roads. The ‘pond’ is normally about 3 - 5 feet of water. It is dependent on ground water for its water. There was almost no water in the pond. A small puddle is behind Bill in this picture. Scott walked out to get the bladder wort that Bill is holding. The ground water is so low that there are some shallow wells going dry.

And in this area was the last butterfly that I saw, a Gulf Frittalary went by in a hurry.

I had to leave, but it was great to share this walk! Thanks Tom.

Bill and bladderwort photo by Debbie Seabrook.