The spectacular and highly rare Ursine Giant-Skipper (Megathymus ursus) is found in scattered desert mountain ranges in Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas. Its environment is physically taxing in the extreme, and without a lot of scouting, foreplanning, experience, and persistence, it is very unlikely that you will find any--but when you do, it's an experience you will never forget.
I have dedicated this to this most majestic of insects.
The sun cracks from the east near the border
Six a.m. and it's ninety degrees
Not a whit of sleep has been in order
Nothing else matters--God, give me one, please!
So unique and so absolute
No other butterfly even approaches
Her form, shape, strength, clarity, brilliance
Zipping away forever as the collector encroaches
Discouraging all but the most resolute.
Searching for pupae of the One
Is the only way that it can be done.
Tirelessly seeking her on the desert floor
My heart in her hand, the key to my door.
Assailed on all sides by the hot June air
It's 110--and I don't care.
I'm lovesick and I don't want the cure
For a butterfly so marvelous, so innocent, so pure.
(The photo is of a freshly-hatched female Ursine Giant-Skipper taken by biologist Steve Prchal in southeastern Arizona.)
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