Gulf Fritillary

August 28, 2025 / Rebecca / 27 Comments

The Gulf Fritillary, also known as the longwing or passion butterfly, is a stunning and delicate insect. Its vibrant orange wings are accented with black streaks on top, while the undersides display white and brown spots. Their lives are brief, lasting only a few weeks. During this period, they spend their days feasting on nectar as one of their major sources of energy.

A butterfly just fluttered by
as little wings just kissed the sky.
And when it flew just out of view,
God whispered,
“I made that for you.”
~Anne Peterson

Two Shy Birds

August 19, 2025 / Rebecca / 17 Comments

In late July, as we drove slowly down the road at the wildlife refuge, I was excited to spot an adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron walking around on the floor of the swampy woods. It was quite shy, staying close to the cover of trees and vines as protection from prying eyes.

In early August, when we drove this road once again, we glimpsed the shadow of a large bird as it took flight from the forest floor and settled in a distant tree. This time it was a juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. With its spotted brown feathers and streaky underparts, it did an excellent job of blending in with the background of the branches and foliage. Had I not seen where it landed, I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to find it among the trees.

“Scientists have found the gene for shyness. They would have found it years ago, but it was hiding behind a couple of other genes.” ~Jonathan Katz

Praying Mantis

August 14, 2025 / Rebecca / 21 Comments

It’s impossible not to be fascinated by this alien-looking insect. I spotted it crawling along the handrail of the lake’s boardwalk. Busy on its prowl for prey, it paused long enough to give the human observer a curious glance.

From whence arrived the praying mantis?
From outer space, or lost Atlantis?
glimpse the grin, green metal mug
at masks the pseudo-saintly bug,
Orthropterous, also carnivorous,
And faintly whisper, Lord deliver us.
~Ogden Nash

Juvenile Mockingbird

August 6, 2025 / Rebecca / 12 Comments

One afternoon, my husband came inside sounding puzzled, saying that the mockingbird in our front yard had been unusually aggressive when he went out to get the mail. That evening, I spotted a young bird sitting in the yard, and suddenly it made sense. He had encountered a mother bird whose protective instincts had kicked in.