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Friday, September 25, 2015

Garner State Park, June 1, 2015

I was not feeling the greatest while camping; but, I am so glad I went because the younger kids were so friendly and adorable. They hung around our campsite a LOT which pleased me to no end.

In the mornings and late evenings, I would wander around looking for flying flowers (butterflies). I actually channeled Elmer Fudd and hunted down some "wascally wabbits" and succeeded. In the afternoons, a woodpecker would regularly invade our campground and I attempted to capture them. Unfortunately, I only took one picture of people. Maybe next time I'll concentrate on capturing people in moments of time.

These were taken on June 1, 2015

Horsemint

The "Wascally Wabbit", Jack Rabbit

Bordered Patch {Chlosyne lacinia} butterfly

Unidentifed

A faded Bordered Patch {Chlosyne lacinia} butterfly

A faded checkered butterfly; most likely Vesta Crescent (Phyciodes vesta)

My field Guide also calls it a "Vesta Cresentspot"

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Wordy Wednesday (Selfies}

These pictures were taken the day after we returned from camping at Garner State Park (June 11, 2015) and we discovered Abby Gail is sick. She was extremely needy. The poor thing struggled with bad ear infections that gave her a poor appetite for weeks.

By the way, my forehead is not dirty. It is bruised. A heavy metal camp lantern reached out and hit me in the middle of the night. Ha! Seriously though, I walked into it in the middle of the night and was stunned. (I froze in place.) As a result, the camp lantern swung back and hit the same spot again.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Macro Monday {Anthanassa texana}

A very tired (worn) Texas Crescent (Anthanassa texana}

Note: This butterfly is also referred to as "Phyciodes texana" in some field references.

Shot at Garner State Park on June 2, 2015

{To see a larger image, go here.}

Friday, September 18, 2015

A Garden Spider Molting

I was fortunate to catch this one at the tail end of molting on May 27. 2015. It is freaky to watch unless you know what is happening. The following pictures are not the greatest as the wind was constantly moving her and the web.

”Ah, freedom!”

One of the first things these Garden spiders do is hang in there and spin about. Their legs are straight out for a bit.

Then they draw in their legs and stay like this for a few. They always look dead and are very vulnerable to) wasps and the like. Yes, I have seen wasps snatch them when they are in this vulnerable state and it’s shocking to witness.

They slowly relax and grab a hold of their web and rest for a bit.

This spider discarded her exoskeleton rather than eating it. Yes, sometimes they feast on their old exoskeleton.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Phone {Picture} Dump V

This is the last dump post. Until next time.

Phone {Picture} Dump I

Phone {Picture} Dump II

Phone {Picture} Dump III

Phone {Picture} Dump IV

Artwork by a grandniece. June 8, 2015

She colored, used stickers and "wrote" things onto paper. I framed them and hung it on my wall.

PS I am hoping that she will continue to gift me with her art work and pictures and these will be replaced (updated). I would do the same for all the others. She was the first to gift me with her “art”.

Abby Gail, June 9, 2015

Abby Gail, June 9, 2015

Abby Gail, June 9, 2015

Note: I took a LOT of pictures during the period of time she was needy and sickly. She wanted me. I finally put down a towel beside my computer and she was satisfied.

My Turn Now! Gracie. June 10, 2015

She looked so pathetic and cute. I had to take another picture. June 16, 2015

This gives you an idea of the depth of her sickness. She did not torment me or my needlework during this time frame. She just wanted to be on me and rest.

June 17, 2015

Abby Gail, June 18, 2015

Abby Gail. June 20, 2015

Abby Gail. June 20, 2015

Abby Gail. June 25, 2015

Monday, September 14, 2015

Macro Monday {Chlosyne lacinia}

A very worn Bordered Patch {Chlosyne lacinia}

Shot at Garner State Park on June 2, 2015

{To see a larger image, go here.}

I know that I've taken pictures of many of these same butterflies; but, I cannot seem to help myself as they are extremely beautiful.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Woodpeckers at Garner, June 1 - 2, 2015

I felt like these guys were channeling Woody Woodpecker. They often showed up at the campgrounds late mornings and early afternoons. I had my camera constantly with me ready to shoot. I felt like they were silently laughing at me. They drove me nuts and I had a hard time capturing decent pictures.

Note: All of these shots are of Golden-fronted woodpeckers.

The pictures below were shot on June 1, 2015

The pictures below were shot on June 2, 2015

This one (above) is most likely a juvenile.

A Pair! The one that blends in with the tree is most likely a juvenile.