The other thread was getting long and I'm about to post a bunch of photos, so it was time for a new thread. I went to the USF gardens today while they were having their quilt show. I knew you all would appreciate this one. They had a ballot box for everyone to vote on their favorite quilt and I picked this one.
Melanie
There was quite a bit of butterfly action today. My favorite was seeing this Monarch.
The Gulf Frits were everywhere (and I picked a whole baggie of food for them). No passion vine for sale in the plant shop or I probably would have bought it.
I watched this sulphur fly around laying eggs on the senna. My sulphur cats are all still present and accounted for. The one is getting so big I think he must have to turn into a chrysalis soon.
In other action, I saw an unidentified swallowtail (flying really fast), a Zebra Longwing, and one of the little blues. Also, while I was going to pick passion vine, we walked by a tree that looked familiar to me. Sure enough, it was a Hercules' Club, and I found two Giant ST cats on it! They're the same size as the ones I have so all four of them are now living happily together.
Melanie
And just for fun...I was in the bromeliad garden and I kept hearing this weird noise. I looked up and on the branch of a Pignut Hickory I saw this guy. It was him trying to crack the nut that was making the sound.
Melanie
Oh how cute!!! I know, I know, some folks see squirrels as flying rats :o) but I think they are sooooooo cute. I love to watch their antics but alas, I don't get squirrels in my yard.
Went to our monthly NABA South Texas Butterfly Club meeting today but it was cloudy and then it started to drizzle. Needless to say we only saw a dozen brave species. I put out bait and fruit but due to the weather all it pulled in was birds!
Here's the first guest. I didn't know woodpeckers ate fruit. I learn new things every day!
~ Cat
...and the second set of guests at the bait basket. No wonder no butterfly will venture out!
~ Cat
We have native black walnut trees around here....the nuts are small and very hard, with very little nut meat. People don't bother with them, but the squirrels go after them all the time. Sometimes I hear these loud noises near the dry creek and look up to find a squirrel going at those nuts. A lot of work for a little bit of food, but it doesn't stop them!
Mellie,, I love that butterfly quilt. I saw my little gold/orange butterfly (not the same one I saw last month I'm sure) today. I AM going to get his picture... Also an ETS (blue form) It was a beautiful warm day..
Cat,,, love those birds too. Sorry the weather didn't cooperate fot butterfly viewing
Elaine
Wow TexasPuddyPrint, you should post that woodpecker over on the bird watching forum daily photos! It's wonderful. The cardinals are nice too.
I'm jealous of your warmth (all of you down south!)
Melanie. that is a beautiful quilt. That would have been my favorite, also. : ) Sounds like you had a great day. : )
Cat, why didn't I think of using my hanging (whatever it's called) to put my fruit in? : ) How clever, you are. I'm gonna dump my onions out, and take that thing outside, and put fruit in it. : ) Thanks for showing that picture. : )
~Lucy
Lucy, same thought here! I think the Dollar tree carries those, must look for a couple.
Cat, those pics of the birds are fabulous! Sorry to hear about the drizzly day.
Melanie, thanks for mentioning the Hercules Club, that is on my list of acquisitions in My Great Attempt To Lure GST's into my yard! I keep forgetting about that one.
Saw two Monarchs, I'm guessing they were males, dueling over territory yesterday. I watched them for about five minutes, they kept on arguing, would fly off, then back at it again.
Cathy
I was out gardening this morning and it was pretty quiet due to it being windy, I think. I saw a duskywing on the Bidens alba (beggar ticks), and a large sulphur was flying around. I also saw another caterpillar on my cassia. But then - I was walking around when a shadow passed over me. I looked up - and there was a Tiger ST! My first of the year! I saw it later in my neighbor's yard where it was enjoying the azaleas. Seemed to prefer the pink as it passed right by the white. I only managed to get one lousy shot of it. Why do they always move when I go to snap the pic? But here it is anyway. For some reason I feel like I have to prove that I saw it, LOL. Do the rest of you ever feel like that?
Melanie
These were sleeping on my house today. What are they? The pretty pink and yellow one is a moth. How about the other one?
Yes the pink and yellow fuzzy one is called "Rosy Maple Moth " or Dryocampa rubicunda. Thanks for the link. The purple lines on the other one is an artifact of the camera. Thats actually black.
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This message was edited Mar 2, 2008 5:40 PM
Those are cool!
I think the pink & yellow one is this moth:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/47725
The smaller one is so dainty, the tinge of pale blue is nice. No idea what it is though.
Melanie, I often think I'm hallucinating when I see a new butterfly, and I want to document it so I know I'm not dreaming!
I saw an EBST today for the first time this year, have to start more parsley & dill.
Cathy
BTW, the only thing that emerged from the chrysallis that I found outiside on the side of a pot was some of those &%#@ fly larvae. I killed them, of course! Should have expected that, since whatever species the cat was must have grown up outside all that time. Oh, mellie, a shot of part of a TST is cool with me! The one I saw didn't even light on anything, just passing through, so couldn't even see it good. Is anyone else seeing a lot of wasps? It seems like they're all over and it's so early! A friend of mine thought that was unusual also. She wanted to know what they're looking for this early. I wasn't sure myself. They do light on flowers occasionally, but seem to be checking out the foliage mostly.
Bummer on the fly larvae Linda. I hate when that happens. Dratted wasps too!!!
Yep Mellie...must agree you did see that Tiger :o)
It's been so windy here (35mph winds non-stop) I haven't seen a butterfly nor moth.
Those wire hanging baskets work great for holding fruit. The butterflies are able to cling to the bottom or sides to get to the goodies.
~ Cat
This message was edited Mar 2, 2008 6:00 PM
You know, when I saw the Tiger ST I was actually walking the perimeter of the house killing wasps with my spray. It's one of the few pesticides I use. I get those paper wasps all over the house and the shed. For some reason they also keep hanging around my abutilon. I got stung once when I was tying bromeliads to my palmetto and I've never forgiven them.
Melanie
yes, Have to get a couple of those baskets for fruit.
I believe you Mellie,,, I saw a TSW yesterday (dark form) I had been raking leaves and he flew right over my head. I chased after him, but he was too fast,,,
Elaine
We had a beautiful weekend, and as I was out shuffling around in the yard I saw a nice sulpher butterfly. I think it was an Orange sulpher. I stood there speechless, as this was the first BF I'd seen this year. Obviously I didn't have the camera.
I was prepared after that. I saw what I thought was a new butterfly that I hadn't seen before flitting around the neighbors house. I ran in and got the camera. All I could get was a lousy single shot. I still don't know what it is, but from the looks of it, it looks rather old, as I think the edges of it's wings are all tattered and torn. Anyone have any ideas?
It was the same size as a Black Swallowtail......
More butterflies to come, as the temps warm up in my area.
Happy happy -- joy joy!
Paul
Looks like a very worn out Mourning Cloak...but don't hold me to that as we don't get those down here. I've never seen one myself.
~ Cat
I saw a Red Admiral today! First time ever in my yard, and it even cooperated enough to get a picture, though not a very good one.
After it flew off, I banged on the banana trees and got a ripe banana to fall. I set it on the back of a chair and waited for a while, hoping it would come back, but all I got was a wasp. Ick.
Cathy
Ok, you guys in FL and others south....
Where are your pictures of raising butterflies?? Surely by now you have been able to save a few cats. I am having serious zone envy with all of your pics of bfs and moths.
We had a light dusting of snow last night.....where is Spring???
The only joy has been the Butterflies in the Garden exhibit at FW Botanic Garden. It is a treat to get to spend weekends there. Here is one picture that I got of a Small Postman I believe. So many of them have simular markings.
I encourage all of you to visit and take your cameras!!
Well work calls.
It was in the low 50's last night and the wind gusts were 35mph! We've had strong winds for the past few days but it seems to have settled down today. I worked the midnight shift and drove over to the butterfly park when I got off at 8am. Sat under the palapa and ate breakfast waiting for the sun to warm up the place. Finally got nice around 11am. Got to see a nice variety of species although not much is in bloom.
Found this bugger on a bait station...no wonder the butterflies won't land!
~ Cat
Melanie,
You mentioned the possibility of wanting a passionflower for GF's.... making my rounds, Home Depot had very light purple passiflora for $13 last Sat., no gf cats on them that I saw but Lowes had their shipment in 1 1/2 wks ago of a very pretty purple passiflora for $15 that was covered in GF cats. I bought one of those. I am sure if I got them here, that they were delivered in the Tampa area too. If you are interested you might want to call to see if any are left.
Thanks Trudi, I managed to pillage enough leaves that I think mine will have a little chance to grow. Even my Dad was like, "Why don't you plant another one?" But mine are still small and everyone says they'll explode and go crazy so I want to see how much they take over before I plant another one.
Sheila - you asked, and so you shall receive. Funny story...so my sulphur is up on the cheesecloth (I use it to cover the slits in the top so they can't escape). Caterpillars really seem to like cheesecloth; maybe because it's soft and they can easily fit their legs into the spaces. Anyway, I was sure he was going to make a sling soon. But I noticed he had a dark area near his tail. So I said, "I think he still needs to poo for the last time." My family just gave me that look. But right after I said it - he pooed! I know my caterpillars well. Then, I told him to make his sling, but I thought it would take a while. However, he immediately went into sling mode - here's a pic!
Melanie
While I was at work he turned into his chrysalis. Mom had them in her office so she got to watch. She said it was freaky weird and we both agreed that sulpher chrysalids are very different from any other butterfly's chrysalis. You can't tell in the picture, but the "hump" is kind of transparent. It's so cool! Oh, and that's his head capsule and skin up there at the top.
Here's three Giant Swallowtails. I have four, but the other one was shy. I finally got them to stick out their stinkhorns (osmeterium) where I could really see them. It was so neat!! They're really red, and so far they don't smell that bad. Zebra STs have really stinky stinkhorns.
And here's some super-size Gulf Frits for you. I think the one on the side is looking for a place to settle down and make a chrysalis. I've been yelling at him to stop eating.
Great photos Melanie! I'm sure hoping for GST cats this year!
I've not had any more Monarch cats and have only seen the two males dueling with each other, I think today is the 4th day I've watched them.
The milkweeds are sending out new leaves and the babies I planted are starting to take hold, so maybe I'll have some more cats soon.
Cathy
Has anyone tried one of these doohickeys for catching wasps? I'm guessing if I put some mashed up banana and some sugar syrup in it, that they will be lured in, but I'm hoping maybe someone else has tried and can give some tips!
Cathy
Cathy,, just my opinion, but if you put this out I think it will just attract more to your yard. I have read a bit about the traps for Japanese beetles, and they say if you are going to use them to be sure to put them away and upwind from your yard.
Hugs,
Elaine
LOOK what I spotted in my yard today....
Elaine
Thanks Elaine!
Ooh, I think that's a Flamboyant Pink Bedazzler bf!
I've had the little wasp catcher thing for a couple years and never used it. I spray the buggers when they start to build a nest under the house eaves, but I still see them out in the yard, on my flowers, ACK!
The last wasp episode involved a nest they had built under the handle of one of my soil bins, I picked up the handle, they flew out, bit me, from then on it's been war.
Maybe I'll try it somewhere far from the garden side of the house and see what happens.
Very cute, Elaine! :-)
Cathy - You and me have declared war on the wasps. I have actually seen them flying and carrying off poor helpless caterpillars in their nasty clutches to their nest as food for their young wasps. It freaks me out every time I see that! ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!! I HATE wasps! Though I know that they do remove harmful bugs from plants ... I don't like them taking my cats! (sigh)
Oh yuk. I've never seen that before Becky. Poor little cats. I will continue the battle...
Oh boy! Do I ever have a lot to catch up on!!
You all have been posting such wonderful pics!! Bsharf, I love the buckeye in the last thread.
Thanks Mellie for starting this new one.. great job with the sulphurs and everything.
Great WP pics Cat and yes the birds do go for the fruit. I keep fruit out for several of the birds that rarely or never eat seeds. Thanks for posting the pics ..Mrs Ed was right, the RBWP is a stunning photo! The Cardinals are fantastic too!!
Sheila~ Sorry I didn't get right to the Conservatory picture posting last Friday, I bet you thought I fell off the face of the earth. Truth is, I did.
Magnes had some bad illness last week and he was kind enough to share it with me, (isn't he sweet?) With me it turned into pneumonia... I was so sick I couldn't do anything, even thinking was hard. It was pretty horrible. I went from thinking I was going to die, to wishing I would...
Thank God I am getting better now. Last night was the first night i had more than an hour of sleep all at one time and it looks like I am going to live.
I had some help pulling me out yesterday, and wouldn't you know it would be a butterfly. Last fall I had several overwintering chrysalids and one of the Giant Swallowtails decided to eclose. This was the last thing I expected because we had SNOW the night before. It was pretty cold back there in the mudroom. I am sure there is more to that than meets the eye, Lord knows I needed some help out of the pneumonia stupor. This really had to be some kind of divine intervention.
The Autumn Sage began blooming last week and I planted it out in the yard from the pot I had it in all winter. Here is where I placed my little get well helper. It stayed in the back a while and flitted all around, really getting his wings going. It was near 40 degrees in the mudroom, but once the sun shone on him and he absorbed some heat he was flapping like crazy all over the place. It left for a while too and then later on I looked out the window and it went past like a rocket.
We will still have at least one more freezing day here (this Friday), but for the most part Spring is waking up in North Texas!
Sorry to hear you were so sick! And nice to see the GST! It will probably freeze here also....the last one this week got us to 27°. I get antsy this time of year when I have tender seedlings getting bigger and want to plant them...but I KNOW better.
