Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 5, 2023
Butterfly on Native Azalea
Category Archives: Insects
First Damselfly Images Of The Year
I had actually seen a pair of damselflies a week or so ago but couldn’t get any usable images.
I saw two of these at the edge of a small pond that was mostly in the shade except for a few blades of a reed where one stopped to eat his prey.
I don’t know the ID, they were quite small, maybe an inch or inch and a half ( 2.5 – 4 cm).
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 23, 2023
Butterfly Contrast
Here’s another view of the bold Gulf Fritillary I featured yesterday.
In contrast, this one was tattered and faded.
That’s quite a chunk missing out of his forewing, and the hind wings have some damage, too. But he could still fly.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 26, 2022
Butterflies on Honeysuckle
As the morning warmed up I could smell the honeysuckle as I walked along the dike and pretty soon several butterflies appeared.
This Gulf Fritillary was a very bold orange, and in pristine shape like he had just hatched.
Several Skippers were intent on feeding from the underside of the leaves, this one popped out for just a moment.
This last butterfly looks like a Sulpher Butterfly, but was much smaller, about this size of a dime (Diameter 0.750 in. ~ 19.05 mm) . Research turns up it is likely a Little Yellow.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 26, 2022
Daddy Long Legs on Spotted Beebalm
Daddy Long Legs spiders were climbing all over this small clump of spotted beebalm.
The dappled sun was warming after a cool start and prey possibilities including smaller insects may have become active, too.
I have no idea what this one is doing; I wondered if it was laying eggs but all information I’ve found says they lay their eggs in dirt.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 14, 2022
Monarda punctata
Spotted Beebalm, Spotted Horsemint, Horsemint
Long-tailed Skipper
A number of butterflies, including this Long-tailed Skipper, were working a row of wildflowers at the edge of field at Botany Bay WMA. I do not know this flower, and spot metering on the insect left that bright white blown out.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 14, 2022
Monarchs, Wildflowers
A few Monarchs were interspersed with the Gulf Fritillaries on the Wildflowers.
The Monarchs were more skittish and didn’t stay out in the open for long.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 14, 2022
Gulf Fritillaries, Wildflowers
A number of Gulf Fritillary butterflies were feeding in a stand of wildflowers at the edge of a field on a sunny October day.
Some were in perfect physical condition.
Others were exhibiting signs of some challenges.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 14, 2022
Grasshopper on Pokeweed
The color of the pokeweed berries and stems were a nice contrast to this grasshopper.
The spiny structures on his back leg look like they mean business.
This last shot was taken with the Canon 100mm macro lens. I couldn’t get the angle I wanted with the available footing and the grasshopper never moved, so it is nearly the same image as above.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
Wordless Wednesday: Morning Glory
Folly Beach, SC
September 19, 2022