This late season Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus was enjoying the sunshine and drinking nectar.
Although there are no dragonflies around now I did find this exuvia left when the nymph climbed up out of the water and underwent its transformation into the adult form.
I had mentioned in a previous post that the immature herons were gorging on a late glut of bluegills in the pond - here they are!
As we were coming back into our building my husband almost trod on this autumn leaf! It is actually the moth of the Maple Spanworm Ennomos magnaria (thanks BugGuide!) I took masses of photos of it because I thought it was so handsome, actually judging by the antennae I would have to say 'she' rather than 'it.'
After lunch we went out and sat by the lake in the sun for a few hours. One of the things that delighted me was the appearance of this little flock of five Sanderlings Calidris alba on route from their summer breeding grounds above the Arctic Circle to their overwintering grounds around the coastline of the Lower 48. They are the ultimate in constant motion so trying to get a picture of them nearly drove me crazy!
Now the sun is setting and washing everything in a beautiful pink light - definitely a great day.
Photo Credits - CJT
7 comments:
What an eye you have for detail. I didn't even know that something could look like a leaf. I will have to be careful where I walk. And the exuvia..how did you find that? Thank you for the info on the herons. I was surprised that the heron was so close to where I was. It was kind of a thrill to see it that close. Of course it takes very little in nature to make me smile..
Hi Michelle - I was a safari guide in Africa for nine years and that really heightens the senses, it teaches you to see, not just look!
I was thrilled with the moth, it was stunning, hard to portray in a photograph and when it was resting with its wings open it looked exactly like a leaf, quite amazing.
The exuvia was just attached to a piece of vegetation at the waters edge, I was lucky I guess :)
I am so glad you are enjoying your herons, they are such charismatic birds.
What an interesting series of photos. The butterfly is spectacular. My favorite is the exuvia; I am not aware of ever having seen one. And the "leaf moth" is quite interesting. Love this post!
Your writing even sounds refreshed!
Louise - Thanks so much, I am glad you enjoyed my ramblings :)
Kathie - It was a wonderfully rejuvinating day, it is so easy to get jaded in the city and days like this really are good for the soul.
What a gorgeous butterfly shot!
gretchen - thanks :) It was very sweet, as I was taking the photo a little girl came up, it was her birthday and she had just been given a camera so I hope she managed to get a nice picture too.
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