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Red Berries of Spicebush
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). In spring this bush of the eastern woods of North America create a wash of soft yellow with small but plentiful blooms. By autumn the blossoms have turned to brilliant red berries. Much to the delight of many birds, including two of my favorites, the Hermit Thrust, and the Red-eyed Vireo.
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Sachem
Sachem (Atalopedes campestris). A small grass skipper butterfly with a wingspan of just 1.25 to 1.5 inches. Skippers (Hesperiidae) are a family of butterflies that have the characteristics of both butterflies and moths. Host plants of Sachem caterpillars are many grasses such as Bermuda Grass, Hairy Crabgrass, Red Fescue, St. Augustine Grass, Indian Goosegrass and…
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Happy Anniversary!
Youngsters, two and three years old, or so it seemed. A mighty fine pair. Happy 54th Anniversary!
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Juniper Hairstreak Revisited
Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus) is native to most of North America. Once thought to be two separate species, residents of eastern North America and western North America are now considered to be just one species. As butterflies, adult Juniper Hairstreaks seek the nectar of many flowers such as Queen Anne’s Lace, Winter Cress, Common Milkweed,…
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Pipevine Swallowtail
Brand new! This Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) has just emerged from its chrysalis. A couple years ago I decided that if I wanted to see Pipevine Swallowtails, I should get a plant that would engage them. Their host plants are in the genus Aristolochia. One of them, Woolly Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia tomentosa) filled the bill since…
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Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar
Hickory Tussock Moths (Lophocampa caryae) are native to northeastern North America down to North Carolina and a few even wander to Texas and down into Mexico. These photos are their larvae, their caterpillars. Hickory Tussock Moths have just one generation per year. Eggs are laid in clusters of 100 or beyond, on the undersides of…
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Naked-flowered Tick Trefoil
Naked-flowered Tick Trefoil (Desmodium nudiflorum). Nice color! Soft to intense pink blossoms with a unique shape that makes me think of Crow T. Robot from Mystery Science Theater 3000. The Tick Trefoils are just beginning to bloom around my cabin. The pea-like flowers are on stems that have no leaves and there, you’ve got the…
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Silver-spotted Skipper Revisited
With a wingspan of 1.75 to 2.5 inches the Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) is the largest of the skippers. But being the largest of the skippers doesn’t make it LARGE compared to some moths and butterflies. The Silver-spotted Skipper is certainly the skipper that I see most often as I check out the trails here…
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Red-banded Hairstreak
Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) is native to the southeastern United States. As a caterpillar it has an unusual food source, the fallen leaves of Sumacs, Myrtles, some Oaks and other trees. A mighty teeny butterfly, its wingspan is 1 inch to 1.25 inches, though you’ll seldom see it with its wings open. As a butterfly,…
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Red-eyed Vireo
The Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) is a summer resident here at my Virginia cabin. They are constantly reminding me that they’re around, though I seldom see them. Their normal place to be is high up in the tree tops while hunting for their meals, out of sight. Their summer diet is predominantly insects of all…