Crow’s Nest: The Eastern Comma

By Daniel Barringer, Preserve Manager

I spotted this butterfly on the fence rail the other day. Naturally, I didn’t have my camera with me—but I did have my phone. Good enough, though hard to center on the subject!

It is an Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma). When closed it looks like a leaf, and yes, the name comes from the silvery comma that stands out in this ventral view.

When it opens, it is breathtaking.