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Richard (Dick) Smith, 1944 - 2016
Goodbye my friend.
I will miss traversing with you through steep mountains and powerline tracks where I always had to ask you to slow down because I was gasping for breath and you were hardly breathing hard at all. Please forgive me for being happy the time you sprained your ankle - it was the one time I could keep pace with you.
I will miss the murky swamps surrounded by countless flies and mosquitoes. You introduced me to my first hip boots which opened a whole new world of butterfly discoveries. Remember when I came to the Howard County Mulberry Wing site in jeans and sneakers? You patiently explained to me about the mud and water we would be walking through and that I was not equipped to search that day. But I went in with you anyway and had a blast! We found the Mulberry Wings; I was covered in mud and you talked about butterflies the entire time. What more can you ask for? We also cannot forget about the other important butterfly gear - the head net! My novice mind could not conceive flies so bad that one would need a head net; however, when we pulled up to the designated site in Charles County and hundreds upon hundreds of flies started to decend upon us, I was a firm believer.
I will miss the shoulder high grasses that held butterfly treasures.
I will miss the expression on your face when I first explained the evils of using a butterfly net. On the countless trips we took, you never used the net because you didn't want to hurt my feelings.
I will miss the ice cream stops after a successful butterfly trip or the fine dining at Wawas or Royal Farms.
I will miss the maiden voyage we took in my Jeep to Green Ridge. You wanted to explore some off roads. We nearly tipped over - I was terrified and you were having the time of your life.
I will miss your total disregard for "No Trespassing" signs and the times you asked me to wear all green clothes in order to "blend in" with the environment.
I will miss coming home from solo butterfly trips and writing you about the day's discoveries - of course accompanied by lots of photos. And you would share in my finds with unparalleled enthusiasm and respond with a short novel on the subject.
I will miss our discussions about the old timers who paved the way and will treasure the Austin Clark butterfly books you gave me.
I will miss your scientific mind that analyzed host plants, habitat and location with unequalled determination.
I will miss how I drove you crazy because of my lack of interest in host plants (or any plants!) but would find the butterfly anyway. My explanation would set you over the edge - "it just had a good feel to the place" or "if I was a butterfly, I would really like it here" or "I was just walking and the butterfly came out to greet me." As the years passed, we began to accept and share in our very different perspectives. I sort of like plants now.
I will miss your dedication to preserving butterfly habitat and your tireless conservation efforts especially as it relates to rare and threatened species. You are one of the few individuals who have made the world a much better place.
Our last trip together was at the end of June 2016. It proved to be the trip of a lifetime. Since I had first met you over 5 years ago, we discussed the unlikely possibility of finding Chermock's Mulberry Wing. Over the years, we made a few trips but to no avail. So in late June, we decided to try again. We spent the whole day searching for Chermock's and the butterfly gods were kind to us and we finally found it. It was fitting that you were off searching one area and I another and we both started shouting at the same time. We had both seen a Chermock's Mulberry Wing! We quickly ran and gave each other celebratory high-fives. We were both astonished at their large size and discussed conservation steps to preserve its habitat. It was one of the happiest days of my life shared with my very special friend and mentor.
In memory of Dick Smith, I am changing the cover photo of the Maryland Butterfly site to reflect a male Chermock's Mulberry Wing. |
