The Headwaters Sanctuary in Olmos Basin
Today's photos:
But that is too much information and a distraction from the story the photos tell.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Back Into the Backwoods
Friday, April 6, 2012
The Headwaters Sanctuary in Olmos Basin
Today's photos:
A walk in the backwoods of the Headwaters Sanctuary has been long overdue with my last walk here on November 25. One of the primary problems with walking in the backwoods is that the only parking for the Headwaters Sanctuary is on the UIW campus. Now that I am retired, I don't have a campus parking permit, so my walks in these woods will only be on school holidays and during the summer when no permit is required.
But that is too much information and a distraction from the story the photos tell.
The Headwaters Sanctuary in Olmos Basin
Today's photos:
But that is too much information and a distraction from the story the photos tell.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Empress Leilia
Thursday, April 5, 2012
When I took these photos yesterday, I was thinking this might be one of the Painted Lady (Vanessa sp.) butterflies. Then, as I took a closer look at the photos, I realized the wing pattern wasn't as close a match for that butterfly as I had initially believed it to be. So, I began looking through The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World by Paul Smart. Flipping through the color illustrations in this book is a real psychedelic trip, but I eventually found a match for this butterfly.
It could actually be either of two very closely related butterflies: the Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) or the Empress Leilia (Asterocampa leilia). The adult of these two species look almost identical and they have an overlapping range with the Hackberry Emperor being more widespread. One of the primary differences between the two species is that the Hackberry Emperor caterpillars primarily eat hackberry leaves and the Empress Leilia caterpillars primarily eat elm leaves.
I really don't know what this butterfly ate as a caterpillar, but it appears to be a better match as an adult to the Empress Leilia. After all, that really doesn't matter. What matters is, it is a very beautiful butterfly:
When I took these photos yesterday, I was thinking this might be one of the Painted Lady (Vanessa sp.) butterflies. Then, as I took a closer look at the photos, I realized the wing pattern wasn't as close a match for that butterfly as I had initially believed it to be. So, I began looking through The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World by Paul Smart. Flipping through the color illustrations in this book is a real psychedelic trip, but I eventually found a match for this butterfly.
It could actually be either of two very closely related butterflies: the Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) or the Empress Leilia (Asterocampa leilia). The adult of these two species look almost identical and they have an overlapping range with the Hackberry Emperor being more widespread. One of the primary differences between the two species is that the Hackberry Emperor caterpillars primarily eat hackberry leaves and the Empress Leilia caterpillars primarily eat elm leaves.
I really don't know what this butterfly ate as a caterpillar, but it appears to be a better match as an adult to the Empress Leilia. After all, that really doesn't matter. What matters is, it is a very beautiful butterfly:
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
The Brilliance of Spring
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Walker Ranch Historical Landmark Park, Panther Springs Creek Trails
Today's photos:
If I thought long enough, I could write something that might enhance this series of photos. But then, I suspect Spring would have faded into Summer and there would not be a post for today. "Brilliance" really does say everything that needs to be said.
Walker Ranch Historical Landmark Park, Panther Springs Creek Trails
Today's photos:
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
A Gregarious Great Egret
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
On my walk of Wednesday, February 8, I had a rather close encounter with an apparently gregarious, definitely elegant great egret:
On my walk of Wednesday, February 8, I had a rather close encounter with an apparently gregarious, definitely elegant great egret:
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