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A Unicorn That Eats Leaves
Unicorn Caterpillar (Coelodasys unicornis) Caterpillars are amazing creatures that take on all sorts of shapes and colors. This one, of course, takes its name because of its unique shape. They’re not particular about what they eat, munching on the leaves of a variety of woody ornamental plants such as apple, cherry, and rose. The Unicorn…
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One Of The Swallowtails
The Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) is the largest butterfly species in North America, with a wingspan of 4 to 6 inches. The larval host plants of Giant Swallowtails are trees in the citrus family including Lemon, Lime, Orange, Prickly Ash, Hoptree and also Common Rue. These caterpillars have an interesting sort of protection from predators, having the…
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A Green And Brown Butterfly
Brown isn’t an unusual color in a butterfly, but green is unusual. This is a Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus). It’s a small butterfly with a wingspan of just 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches. Native to North America. Here in Virginia the larval host plant is Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana). This guy in the photo is…
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A Butterfly Special To Maryland
A Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) seen at Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, Maryland. It’s the Maryland state insect. I grew up in Maryland and this, the first time I’ve ever seen this beautiful butterfly. Just a short while after seeing that butterfly I happened upon this caterpillar at Buck Hollow, in Shenandoah National Park, where…
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One Reason
One reason that I am so interested in nature is my Dad. Here he is in 1991 stretched out on the driveway, having a heart to heart talk with a Gopher Tortoise about the state of the world. As always, I’m thinking of you Dad! Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) live in a small area, from…
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Pink Roses
Don’t be fooled. Just because a rose you find in the woods is pink does not mean it is a native rose. Though a bit unusual this picture above is of a Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora). Multiflora Roses normally are white but on occasion a huge bush of this rose will decide to be independent…
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Iris For Mom
My Mom loved Iris. I think perhaps purple Iris were her favorite. Butterflies love them too. This is a species I enjoy. A tiny Iris that is short in stature with a flower that measures 2.5 inches across. Native to southern and midwestern United States. Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata). Happy Mother’s Day. _______________________________________________________________________ If…
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Happy Astronomical Spring
I’ve been watching for the first signs of Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) making its spring appearance. And today, this is what I found. Perfect timing! In just a few days the plant will develop flowers and green leaves. You can see a leaf on the left which looks like a green butterfly. This “butterfly leaf” is…
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Turkey Tracks
Wild Turkey tracks (Meleagris gallopavo) on the lane coming in to my cabin. I knew right away what the tracks were since they were so large. Wild Turkeys are a common visitor around here. They’re mighty big birds that leave a footprint of 3¾ to 5 inches long. BIG BIRD! _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like…
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A Dusting
What a delight, to wake up this morning and realize that it is snowing. Already a dusting of snow over everything. Pure delight! This picture, snow gets caught in any spot it can, on the bark of a Persimmon tree (Diospyros virginiana). _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email,…