Category: Caterpillars

Closer Look At An American Painted Lady

September 6, 2026

Like many butterflies, the closer one looks the more details are revealed. This is the same species of butterfly that I posted yesterday, an American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), in a dorsal, or wings open, or upper side view.

This a ventral, or wings up, or under side view. Quite a change from the dorsal view. This view provides eye spots to startle predators.

And here again the dorsal view, with sunlight shining through. Sunlight can change the look of everything when looking at a butterfly.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Oh MY! So Tiny!

August 29, 2026

Yesterday I was out looking for Monarch caterpillars (Danaus plexippus), not knowing if I would actually find any. But sure enough I found one in a patch of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). A Monarch caterpillar much smaller than I have ever seen in the past. The caterpillar in this picture is just 1/4 inch long, and this one is not newly hatched. They measure just 1/10 of an inch at that point and have no stripes.

There is a key connection between Monarchs and Milkweed plants. Female Monarchs seek out Milkweed plants on which to lay their eggs. Once hatched, the caterpillars only eat the leaves of the Milkweed which holds a milky, toxin filled sap, that is harmful to many animals, but is tolerated and stored not only in the caterpillars but also in the adult Monarch. This toxin creates a bad taste and can cause sickness in predators with backbones (vertebrates), protecting the Monarchs from being eaten.

Nature is amazing.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Buckeye

A Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), a butterfly that I don’t see in early summer. I adore seeing them in mid to late summer, once they show up.

These lovely butterflies are migratory, and are unable to survive freezing temperatures. They stay safe in the Deep South during the cold of winter, migrating north during late spring and early summer.

This one is enjoying the nectar of Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens).

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

So Many Birds Love The Birdbath

May 27, 2026

So many birds love the birdbath. They may not care at all what I am offered at the bird feeder, but I can count on them showing up for a dip in the water to care for their feathers, or for a refreshing sip.

This is a male American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) here for the breeding season and checking out the birdbath that perhaps he has been to in past years.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Playing In The Icy Pool This Morning

February 12, 2026

My camera and I got to play at the vernal pool today, the one at the yoga studio where I take classes. It has been dry for so long, much longer than is usual, so we had a great time. Melting snowcrete created a marvelous amount of moisture, perfect for imagination.

One of the captures this morning looks to me like the space photo of the week, from the James Webb telescope as it peers deep into the Milky Way. But of course this is actually a work of art by Mother Nature.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Hunger At The Garden Gate

January 2, 2026

Word seems to have gotten out. No songbirds there for a meal. A Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) sitting on the garden gate, a spot where there are often many birds. Try, try again little hawk.

And it is indeed a small hawk. The males of this species are the smallest hawks in both the United States and in Canada.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Shortest Day Of The Year

The seedhead of a Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma), wearing its snow white winter cap. Just waiting for a hungry bird to come along for a meal.

And Happy Winter! Yes, today is the first day of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The shortest day and the longest night of the year.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Sign Of A Pileated Woodpecker

November 21, 2025

This morning on my way down the mountain I saw a woodpecker that I often see, a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus). The largest woodpecker in North America. About the size of a crow. Measuring in at 16 to 19 inches long, with a wingspan of 26 to 30 inches, weighing about 8.8 to 12.3 ounces.

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) drill holes in trees searching for Carpenter Ants (Camponotus) and wood-boring beetle larvae. Trees they prefer have soft wood, or are dead or dying. Those holes, often large, rectangular or oval, are easy to spot.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Red Maple Decked Out For Autumn

October 26, 2025

The Red Maples (Acer rubrum) are joining in with many of the trees in the woods to create a celebration of autumn. As is often the case, this week is the peak of the spectacular color display. Before long it will look like winter, with shades of black and white leaving only the lushness of evergreens to cheer the forest.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!