Butterflies, Bees, & Moths, Oh My!

Passing through the local ponds to check out the birds has been a regular activity of mine for quite some time. Only recently though, have I started to take a closer look at some of the other creatures that dwell there. The perimeter of the ponds is lined with trees and fencing that is heavily blanketed with an assortment of vines and weeds.

Long-tailed Skipper

The variety of blossoms attract many different species of moths and butterflies that can be seen here year round.

Long-tailed Skipper

 When I was there over the weekend, I noted several small areas that had dozens of Zebra Longwings sipping nectar from the available flowers.This butterfly, which is one of the most abundant species found here, is Florida's official state butterfly.

Zebra Longwing

Gulf Fritillary butterflies are also popular here. This was one of the most vibrant ones I encountered on my visit.

Gulf Fritillary

As I was kneeling in grass, this worn looking Gulf Fritillary land nearby.

Gulf Fritillary

The butterfly sat motionless for a few moments, then began to curl its body into a strange position. It took me a moment to realize what I was observing.   I then realized that this butterfly, as it curled up its abdomen, was laying a tiny egg on a barren stick. I've never actually watched a butterfly lay an egg, but it was pretty fascinating to see this unexpected occurrence happen right next to me.

Gulf Fritillary

After she flew off, my son and I examined this tiny egg.

The stick seems like an unusual place for an egg to be laid as Gulf Fritillary usually lay their eggs on the leaves of the plentiful Purple Passionflowers that are here.

Have you hugged a tree lately?

Hope you have a great week!!!

Click, Click Clicking at the Ponds

We stumbled upon a sweet family of fourteen nestled along the shore of the Click Ponds last week. I took a few photos from my car window as we did not want to disturb them. Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are late breeders in Florida, but this seems really late.

I love the stripes on these ducklings. It's amazing how different they look from the adults.

Seeing these tiny little ducklings go bottoms up was too funny.

The birds at the ponds are pretty sparse these days. A Little Blue Heron, numerous Greenies, and a handful of Pied-billed Grebes...

And this Killdeer that was standing in path, and did not want to move.

I walked along the heavily vegetated exterior to see what creepy crawlers were lurking.

There were several of these Gulf Fritillary caterpillars munching away.

Not exactly a fuzzy caterpillar...

I also saw this Gulf Fritillary that was still drying its wings.

There are so many different species of dragonflies buzzing around the ponds right now.

Viera Wetlands 7/27/12

Things seemed to have picked up quite a bit at the wetlands this week. We saw large populations of the regulars as well as a handful of birds we do not see quite so often. The first cell near the entrance was packed with Great Egrets, we counted close to 50, as well as a mix of Wood Storks, Snowy Egrets, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Great Blue, Green, and Little Blue Herons, and Common Gallinules.

Little Blue Heron

This young Wood Stork was relaxing right next to its parents. The juveniles are almost as adorable as their parents:)

Juvenile Wood Stork

I rarely see Black-necked Stilts at the wetlands , but I counted 8 of them today. This one, which I believe is an immature one, was foraging near 2 adults. These shorebirds are quite intriguing looking. They have such delicate features; got to love those super long, thin legs!

Black-necked Stilt

Roseate Spoonbills are occasionally found at the wetlands. This one was enjoying spending some time all alone, away from the other birds.

Roseate Spoonbill

I wonder how hard it is to clean your feathers with a spoon...

This guy then came along with an apparent disregard for the Spoonbills personal space. The White Ibis looked sort of like a lost, confused tourist, as it walked right into the photo and just stood there...

Speaking of Ibis, there are tons of White and Glossy Ibises at the wetlands right now. Other species noted include: Ospreys, Black Vutlures, Cattle Egrets (tons and tons of them), Tricolored Herons, Red-winged Blackbirds, Boat-tailed Grackles, Least Terns, Mottled Ducks, Belted Kingfisher, and lots of American Alligators.

White Ibis

Gulf Fritillary