Florida Habitat (Post 1, Comment 1)
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Flowers in March is the theme for the Smile on Saturday Group this week.
I hope you smile bunches and bunches today and every day. Happy snapping.
The bluebirds allowed me to take photos of butterflies and flowers while they and their young ones visited the feeding stations. This beautiful spicebush swallowtail is the one that caught my eye. I have to admit that I was only partially paying attention to the butterflies, I really wanted to photograph the bluebird action. Therefore, I was looking for an opportunity to sneak a shot of them. All the while knowing they had become camera shy since the little ones were born.
I thought I had an opportunity but it was a total fail! I was pretending not to notice them, acting all casual and disinterested. From behind the golden dew drop, I slowly raised the camera in the direction of the bluebirds while looking away. The second I started to look through the view finder, a flash of blue disappeared from the yard. As a result for my indiscretion, they did not return to the yard for hours. I love this set of bluebirds, they are the best bluebird parents ever.
As a consolation, this spicebush swallowtail is lovely and the bluebirds are nesting once more.
Have a wonderful day and happy snapping.
merry christmas to all my amazing flickr friends and a happy and safe 2023..and lets hope santa can sober up in time..lol.
Yesterday evening I went out to feed the Koi only to discover that this beauty had opened. I knew they weren't far behind the lilies. It's always exciting to find a garden surprise like this during the daily activities.
Have a wonderful Wednesday and happy snapping.
The lilies are blooming now and the lotus is not far behind. It's certainly a beautiful time of year around here. Especially since most of the oak leaves have fallen and been removed. I love my oak trees but I am not a fan of the fallen leaves.
Have a wonderful day and happy snapping.
While walking through the living room a few days ago, I saw this very excited cardinal. I grabbed the camera and took a few shots. As I watched him, I realized the source of his excitement. He was making a meal of fat, juicy goldrim caterpillars he had discovered on the underside of the vine where he is perched.
I hope you have an exciting day filled with happy little surprises.
As usual, when I walk through the living room from one area to another, my eyes automatically turn towards the window. Other than for sleeping, I'd rather be outside than inside.
While looking out the window I spied a Palamedes butterfly. I had been seeing one in the yard on and off for a few days along with a pipevine swallowtail and a spicebush swallowtail. Upon further inspection through the window, all three were in the yard. There were also sulfurs, skippers and of course monarchs.
Although I have company right now, (My dad Larry and a family friend Judy) I also have spring fever. Therefore, I couldn't resist the urge to grab the camera and go outside. My company knows me pretty well so I can't say they were surprised. In fact, when I do this, they usually look at each other and chuckle.
While standing outside, my eyes scanning the area for one of the aforementioned butterflies; this beauty came around the corner and began to nectar on the pentas right beside me. He is the first giant swallowtail in my yard for the season. I checked for eggs on the wild lime but so far none were discovered.
As for the others, I didn't see them during this venture outside. However, it is nearly butterfly chasing season so perhaps I shall catch them next time.
Have a delightful day and happy snapping.
Plenty of sunshine, a few clouds, highs in the upper 80's, a 100 % chance of butterflies, and a 20% chance of rain.
With only a 20% chance of rain, it's probably not going to happen. If I were planning a picnic, I certainly wouldn't cancel it for a mere 20% chance of rain.
Yesterday's butterflies:
Monarchs
Sulfurs
Zebra longwings (zebra Heliconian)
Tiger Swallowtail
Zebra swallowtail (first on this year)
Spicebush swallowtail
Giant swallowtail
Polydamas swallowtail (goldrim)
Gulf Fritillaries
Skippers
Southern white
Common blue
Rain or shine, I hope your day is splendid. Happy snapping.
I enjoyed my visit to Viera wetlands on the way home from my business trip on the other coast. However, I must say it's so good to be home. There are 18 monarchs flitting about in the yard along with some gulf fritillaries, zebra longwings and a tiger swallowtail. This image was taken a few weeks ago. I have been trying to resist taking more monarch images today since I have so many from my time away from flickr that have not yet been shared. So, I took a couple of gulf fritillary images and a yellow-rumped warbler image instead :) The yellow-rumped warbler showed up today for what I believe is the first time this season.
I believe it is safe to say that butterfly season has begun. There are several beautiful monarchs flitting about the yard. I counted five in the yard but there were others in the neighboring yards. Giant swallowtails, zebra longwings, gulf fritillaries, and sulfurs have also been visiting. And of course, I released several Polydamas swallowtails that awoke from their winter slumber.
With that being said, now that it is March I have officially started collecting eggs and caterpillars to raise. I do believe it shall be a glorious summer of life and color.
I hope your day is splendid. Happy snapping.
Okay, flowers pretty much bloom here year round. Each flowering plant has it's favorite time of year. Lantana, the flower in this image will bloom year round but especially loves spring and fall. Gulf fritillaries, the butterfly in this image visits from early spring to late fall. I figure he's orange so it counts as an autumn image even though it looks like it could be a spring or summer image :)
Side note: Something weird and spring like... Lady B has started building a nest in the bluebird house. I know there is no way she is going to lay eggs at this time of year. So that's just weird. She and Mr. B have extra fancy colors at this time too.
Have a delightful day and happy snapping.