Similar Butterflies

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)

Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)

Two butterflies that are closely related. Their larvae both have, as their host plant, Hackberry trees (Celtis). The hungry larvae will concentrate on eating the leaves of the Hackberry trees at different times. Hackberry Emperor larvae will eat new foliage and the older leaves will be eaten by the Tawny Emperor larvae.

As adults they have similar eating habits as well. Both species seldom visit flowers, but will get their nutrients from tree sap, rotting fruit, carrion, scat, and damp sand or damp soil. You might find one deciding to alight on your arm or leg since they are attracted to human sweat that provides them with sodium.

Hackberry Emperors are more often seen then the Tawny Emperor. I was fortunate while I was hiking and came upon both of these butterflies, together, keeping me company as I was roaming.

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Two Wren Nests At The Moment

There are two active Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) nests here at the cabin right now. One at the front door, in an actual, small, bird house. The other at the back door, in a typical Carolina Wren habit, built in a basket that is hanging from the ceiling of the porch. They are quite creative in what they use for their nests. A few summers ago a nest was built on my front porch in a graniteware coffee pot, also hanging from the porch ceiling.

They don’t migrate, living in the eastern US, the southernmost part of Ontario, Canada, and the very northeast of Mexico. Here in Virginia they raise two broods, but in the deep south they may raise three broods.

Only male Carolina Wrens sing, although females will sometimes provide backup with a male, adding a bit of chattering or a trill.

They are particularly evident in song when I’m out and in their territory. It sounds as though I’m being scolded for invading their space, which I find entertaining. Stand up for yourself, little one!

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Worm-eating Warblers

Worm-eating Warblers keep me company as I hike on my mountain, letting me know that they’re on the trails with me with their song. It’s a trill, sounding like an insect, and quite similar to the song of the Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina).

They are birds that are in the eastern US for only the breeding season. During the winter they seek the warmer locations of southern Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.

Their name is a bit misleading. They don’t eat Earthworms but mostly eat caterpillars and grubs supplementing those with slugs, spiders, and insects.

I enjoy that they love birdbaths so much, giving me an opportunity to see them out in the open rather than getting a too brief glance while they’re up in the trees hiding among the leaves.

Staying Cool

Watering newly planted things in the garden got me out on this mighty hot first afternoon of summer, when I noticed a couple Great Spangled Fritillaries (Speyeria cybele) enjoying the sweet nectar of Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea).

As adults Great Spangled Fritillaries enjoy a life much longer than many butterflies. Some butterflies live for a month, at most, others have a life span of just one week. These fortunate butterflies are around, fluttering among the flowers, from mid-June till mid-September.

The host plants of Great Spangled Fritillaries are native violet species. These are the only things their caterpillars will eat. Many gardeners look upon violets as weeds in their gardens. I want these butterflies, so I don’t discourage violets.

Great Spangled Fritillaries make great models for my camera.

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The Yucca Flower

Yucca, the state flower of New Mexico and the national flower of El Salvador. I fell in love with Yuccas when I moved to New Mexico, and fell in love with the state too. I remember being captivated by the plants and would frequently go out and sketch them. This picture was taken at White Sands, New Mexico.

We’ve got Yuccas that are native to Virginia too. Two species, Yucca gloriosa, and Yucca filamentosa. These next two images are of Yucca filmentosa.

The birds enjoy having the Yuccas in the yard too. And in this image, you can see why it has the name filamentosa, having those fibers that come off the leaves.

And Yucca gloriosa. Both these Yuccas are up here in my yard, delighting me when they bloom.

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Ghosts?

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is in bloom along the trails up here right now. They have always made me think of ghosts of the people who lived here for thousands of years before now. Reminders of the past.

Black Cohosh is a herbaceous perennial that grows quite tall, between three and seven feet tall, one of the largest woodland wildflowers.

Tall stems are covered with many flowers. Each of those flowers is 2/3 inch across and snow white, with 24 stamens and a one pistil.

Each little flower is replaced by a fruit, called a follicle, which is about 1/3 inch long. As the follicle dries it splits open releasing several seeds.

Black Cohosh is the only known host plant for Appalachian Azure butterflies. The butterflies lay their eggs on the flower buds and once hatched the larvae eat the flowers.

Black Cohosh, right up there along with many favorites here on my mountain.

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Member Of The Mint Family

It’s blooming right now up here. It’s a member of the mint family, which you can tell by checking out its stems. They’re square. And like other mint family members, Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare) has a subtle, sweet and earthy aroma.

It grows to a height of 8 to 24 inches. It’s blooms seem to be shy, just coming out a couple at a time, but so pretty in bright pink, lavender or a soft white.

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Flowers Of Blue?

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)

In bloom right now, beautiful flowers that are native to the continental United States and much of southern Canada. Growing to 5 feet tall and branching about half way up, with spikes, in a candelabra-like way.

The spikes become panicles of buds opening from the bottom up. The flowers attract many pollinators including birds, butterflies, moths, and bees. The blooms look as though they should have a lovely fragrance but I don’t detect any scent at all.

I think that I see color in a quite different way than other people see color. That this plant would be called Blue Vervain baffles and entertains me.

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One Reason

One reason that I am so interested in nature is my Dad. Here he is in 1991 stretched out on the driveway, having a heart to heart talk with a Gopher Tortoise about the state of the world. As always, I’m thinking of you Dad!

Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) live in a small area, from southern South Carolina west through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and south through the peninsula of Florida, including the islands along the Gulf coast of Florida. They have an expected life span of 50 to 80 years in the wild.

These tortoises dig burrows which provide them an escape from predators and protection from extreme weather. Burrows which are 15 feet long and 7 feet deep or more. The burrows also provide shelter for at least 360 other animal species, because of this Gopher Tortoises are considered a keystone species meaning extinction would result in big changes in the natural world around them. Their conservation status: threatened to endangered.

Gopher Tortoises, are just one aspect of the wondrous world of nature.

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Orange On Orange

I captured this Orange On Orange this afternoon. A Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) thoroughly enjoying the nectar of Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). This creature was dining on the nectar for at least 45 minutes. Quite satisfied with its discovery.

Female Great Spangled Fritillaries lay their eggs near violets in August or September. The newly hatched caterpillars burrow down into the soil where they will sleep during the winter. As spring arrives the caterpillars emerge and eat the nearby, newly developing violet leaves. These violet leaves are the only leaves that the Great Spangled Fritillary caterpillars can eat. Its sole host plant.

As adults Great Spangled Fritillaries dine on the nectar of many species of flowers such as Milkweed, Purple Coneflower, and Red Clover. Many species of butterflies live just two to four weeks, but Great Spangled Fritillary butterflies often will live from mid-spring until early autumn.

Wonderful to have them around so long enjoying the flowers in the woods.

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