I’ve been on this corner at the back of the old rice field when the Nature Train was passing and heard the tour guide point out this Redwood Tree as they pass.
Redwood Tree – February 23, 2023, Looking towards the rice field
They either didn’t say, or I’ve never paid enough attention, why this single Redwood happens to be right here.
Redwood Tree – March 11, 2023, taken with my back to the rice field
A roosting Black Vulture was joined by a Wood Stork.
Black Vulture and Wood Stork
The Vulture was pretty much unfazed, even with all that flapping going on.
Black Vulture and Wood Stork
Settle down, look around…we’re at the top of the world!
Black Vulture and Wood Stork
The angle between these birds and my position created an optical illusion that these two birds are close in height. The Wood Stork actually is longer, weighs more, and has a slightly wider wing span.
Black Vulture and Wood Stork
Black Vulture:
Length: 23.6-26.8 in (60-68 cm)
Weight: 56.4-77.6 oz (1600-2200 g)
Wingspan: 53.9-59.1 in (137-150 cm)
Wood Stork:
Length: 33.5-45.3 in (85-115 cm)
Weight: 72.3-93.1 oz (2050-2640 g)
Wingspan: 59.1-68.9 in (150-175 cm)
From The Cornell Lab, All About Birds
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023
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.
Gulf Fritillary on Honeysuckle
Several Skippers were intent on feeding from the underside of the leaves, this one popped out for just a moment.
Long-tailed Skipper on Honeysuckle
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.
Little Yellow butterfly on Honeysuckle
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 26, 2022
I remembered this delightful bush as I wondered some lesser traveled paths at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens a few weeks ago.
Cassia
This plant is surely the gift that keeps on giving, as it was just covered with these shapely yellow blooms.
Cassia
Some of the singles left on a stalk were real stand-outs.
Cassia
Most of the plant was covered with these clusters.
Cassia
I had posted images of this plant last December not knowing what it was. Fortuitously, the most recent Magnolia Newsletter had an image and identified it as Cassia.
Cassia
A little plant research shows there are a number of varieties of Cassia and I’m just going to let it go at that.