Long-tailed Skipper Butterfly was one of at least five butterfly species I saw on November 13 at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area.
All in, these smaller butterflies took full advantage of the tubular Morning Glory blossoms.
There was some competition, including a number of bees as the morning warmed up.
Also seen November 13, 2020
A beautiful Snowy Egret zipped by me with a nice background of fall looking grasses.
Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly was one of at least five butterfly species I saw on November 13 at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area.
There were actually dozens of them along the road, zipping in and out of the Morning Glories.
Zoom in on this last image and you’ll see some sort of a multi-segmented insect between the two Morning Glory blooms that I did not see at the time.
Also seen November 13, 2020
Gulf Fritillary was one of at least five butterfly species I saw on November 13 at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area.
As the morning warmed up more of them appeared.
The bank between the dike road and the big pond which has a variety of wild flowers and scrubby vegetation was attracting a lot of action.
Finally, a closed-wing view, showing off the underside of the Fritillary’s wing. Look close and you’ll see some fly action on the yellow blossom.
Also seen November 13, 2020
After first seeing the butterfly from my post Brown Butterfly I spotted another White Peacock Butterfly at the other end of the dike. This second specimen does appear to have more white than brown as his primary color. My next post will compare the two.
In addition to the surprise of the butterfly I did not expect to see honeysuckle still in bloom.
The honeysuckle was quite fragrant and the butterfly worked it from all angles.
I’ve searched through several online butterfly identification resources but haven’t come up with a match.
Edit: White Peacock Butterfly. I was searching for brown butterfly with white, and this is officially a white butterfly with brown. Thank you, Hans Wikström https://livifriluft.com/ .
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
November 13, 2020
I was looking at some wild asters, hoping to frame a shot when a Long-tailed Skipper flitted into the picture.
A few rain drops on the first flower made a nice accent, too.
It’s nearly the end of dragonfly season for this year with only a few to be seen near the swamp.
You may have noticed I have a thing for Morning Glories. I bought and planted a packet of seeds in the spring. I was excited when a few vines sprouted. Then, nothing. All summer long.
About two weeks ago Ted spotted one bloom at the top of the arbor. I was happy I hadn’t take the vine down. The vines grew. Then suddenly this:
For any non-gardeners, these are one day blooms that will be shriveled up by the end of the day.
We had some rain shortly after the sun came up which made some interesting patterns.
This one lagged behind opening.
The blossom itself is quite delicate, I’m not sure what caused this damage.
I do hope the plant can take a touch of frost; the weather forecast is predicting 38 F (3 C) for tonight. Not that they are ever wrong!
Taken Sunday, November 1, 2020
Online searches leads me to think these are Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillars. The color (brown not green) and behavior (daytime eating not daytime sleeping) doesn’t exactly match what I’ve read and I’d be happy to have any input.
The false “eyespots,” presumed to scare off predators are correct for the Spicebush Swallowtail.
The caterpillar’s real eyes are pinpoint size and somewhere near the mouth.
These caterpillars could be known as “eating machines” which is how I happened to notice them as previously robust plants are now sticks.
I don’t know if these patio pots have enough acceptable foliage to support the five caterpillars I saw to their next stage. I’ll look for them again tomorrow.
