Butterflies and Signs, etc.

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes (#389).

I think this is a Pearl Crescent Butterfly - Phyciodes tharos:

Cloudless Sulphur, Phoebis sennae:

I thought this was a beetle. It is an Ailanthus webworm moth:

Female Eastern Pondhawk, Erythemis simplicicollis:

I'm also linking to Carmi's Thematic Photographic 382 - Street Signs. These signs are around (or on) the W. and O.D. trail.


Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~

Campsis Radicans Fence

My contribution to TexWiscGirl's Good Fences #125. This is a Campsis radicans, aka hummingbird vine.

One day, a flock of mockingbirds lined up along the construction fence at my old elementary school. Here are two of them:

Here's the Streambank Mock Orange. Note that the giant bin being used for the neighbors' 10 month long reconstruction project is finally gone. Not gone: the bazillion mosquitoes that grew up in that bin.

And here's an Ashburn dragonfly (female Eastern Pondhawk - Erythemis simplicicollis).

Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~

Ashburn Virginia Dragonflies, Etc.

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #136.

I couldn't get sharp captures of these flying dragonflies, but I did get a couple pics of them laying eggs in the hot tub. (I told them it was a mistake, but you know kids just don't listen.)


Here is a male Common Whitetail:

A sweat bee on a thistle:

A Peck's Skipper, I presume.

I'm also linking to Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'. There were plenty of goldfinches along the W and O.D. trail, but this was the only one who let me get close enough for the G15:

Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~

Pecking Order

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes (#370). Here's a Blue Dasher:

I'll run out of tiny toad pics someday. But today is not that day!

The pecking order at the seed platter is Nutkin, Chippie, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Sparrows. In fact the other day there were four Blue Jays lined up on the "landing branch" watching Chippie, who is much smaller than any of them. But Chippie has to take a back seat when Nutkin shows up.



Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~

First Dragonfly and Butterfly Pics of the Year

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #129. Here's my first dragonfly picture of the year, a juvenile Common Whitetail:

First butterfly pics of the year: A Fiery Skipper. (I think, skipper identification can be tricky.)

I'm also contributing to Carmi's Thematic Photographic 371 - By the water's edge. Here's a pair of mallards at Broad Branch creek in D.C.

Remember that place that had a horse roaming outside on the horse trail? It seems the chickens get to come out and play sometimes, too. I thought I'd get a pic before seeing if I could get closer (I'm also linking to Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'):

Turned out to be no problem. They all ran right up.


It's been a while since my left foot made an appearance:

Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~

Like Birds In The Wilderness

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #89. I saw quite a few Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) in Virginia this week.



A Common Blue Damselfly:

I think this is a pair of Little Glassy Wing skippers:

This is a pair of Red-spotted Purples:

Here's Amelia!

Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~

Tiger Swallowtail and friends

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday Critters #88. Here's a couple of critters from West Virginia:


And some from D.C.:



Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~

Birds, Butterflies, and Dragonflies

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #86. I hiked up to the top of Cacapon Mountain. The turkey vultures love hanging out on the power line poles up there, they can see down the clear cuts on each side of the mountain.

There are many different dragonflies zipping around Lake Siri lately, but most are not ready for their closeup. This little Halloween Pennant was willing to pose.


Butterflies love thistles!

And the Downy Woodpeckers appreciate someone putting out the suet feeder in the morning and taking it in at night so the raccoon doesn't get it.

Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~

Old & In The Way

Carmi's Thematic Photographic 339 is Aged.

The house in West Virginia was built in the early 1970s. For that matter, Theda is around 12 years old.

"The order Odonata ("toothed ones") includes some of the most ancient and beautiful insects that ever roamed Earth, as well as some of the largest flying invertebrates ever to have lived."

And here's a male Common Whitetail:

Also, I have some bumblebee pics to contribute to Michelle's Nature Notes (#318):




UPDATE: Happy B-Day to my sister! Here's one of her wolfhounds, Amelia:

Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~