Linear view vs. Masonry View

Flutterbies

Monarch
Zebra Longwing
Gulf Fritillary
Red Admiral
Dorantes Longtail Skipper
Tropical Checkered Skipper
Silvery Checkerspot
Horace’s Duskywing
Fiery Skipper
Dainty Sulphur

For years I’ve been on a mission to change the name for these delicate, aerial masters from butterflies to flutterbies. I have two simple reasons: they actually flutter by when navigating from flower to flower and they are not, in fact, made of butter.

These are a few of the flitting beauties that I’ve encountered over the past few weeks, roughly in size order from largest to smallest. Left to right, top to bottom: Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia), Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae), Dorantes Longtail Skipper (Urbanus dorantes), Tropical Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus oileus), Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis), Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius), Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus).

Last but not least, this brightly-colored caterpillar, and while not technically a flutterby, it does represent one life stage that all flutterbies must pass through.

White-marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar

White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma) Caterpillar, Clearwater, Florida April 2020

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Bathing Beauty

Huh, My Toes Are Weird!
Look, I’m a Statue
Scratch That Itch
Pretending to be an Eagle
Bird Yoga
I’m Sexy and I Know It!

I had the great fortune to watch an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) preen after it took a dip in the nearby creek. It took ages as this fish hawk carefully used its sharp beak to fluff and zip each feather.

It was so involved in the ritual that it didn’t seem to mind my close proximity. I was mesmerized by the bird’s actions, though with crisscrossed legs and awkward poses, I can’t say the process was anything close to graceful.

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What Are You Looking At?!

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Patterned Terrapin

Note Water Drop Under Chin
Pretty!

I came across this shy Florida Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina bauri) last week. As the name implies, it is endemic to this state (and the southeast corner of Georgia). This species is far less tolerant of cold weather than other box turtles. Apparently, we have that in common.

The yellow dashes on the carapace are distinctive. To be honest, I think it looks like a Common Gallinule walked over the turtle’s shell after stepping in yellow paint.

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Common Gallinule Toes, Largo, Florida March 2020

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Tiny Bubbles

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Colorful Bubbles, Treasure Island, Florida April 2020

When conditions are just right, the sea floats foam onto the shore. When the light is just right, the bubbles in the foam iridesce. I’ve been fascinated by these ephemeral phenomena for years. I first captured some on the beach in Carpinteria, California in 2006.

When I lived on the Oregon Coast in 2018 I was fortunate to be treated to not one but two sightings. Because I’m such a music lover this song pops into my head every time…

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After the Storm

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Stormy Afternoon, Treasure Island, Florida April 2020

Lightning, thunder, wind, and sideways rain pummeled us earlier today. From my window, I watched palm trees bend, patio furniture flip over, and water flow down the road. It was loud, chaotic, and a bit worrisome for awhile.

After the tempest blew out to sea, a quiet calm prevailed. The sun reappeared and birds emerged from their sheltering places. It brought to mind the Persian adage, “This, too, shall pass.”

A saying which is also relevant in light of the global crisis we are living through right now. Though perhaps this updated version is more apropos? “This, too, shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.”

 
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The “Marshan”

As the common name implies, I discovered this Florida Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris paludicola) in a riparian area the other day. The second part of the binomial also references its preferential habitat as palustris is Latin for “of the marsh”.

These strong swimmers live in the marshes and swamps of coastal regions of the southeast. I had hoped to see it swim but no such luck. Though, now that I know where it lives I will be on the lookout during my next visit.

Please forgive my partially obscured photos, this was a secretive animal and I feel fortunate to have seen it during the day as they tend to be more active at night.

Compared to the Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) I photographed a couple weeks ago, it is easy to discern the Marsh Rabbit’s smaller ears and darker, more rufous, overall coloration.

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Eastern Cottontail, Dunedin, Florida March 2020

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