Stone Harbor Point ~ Snow Bunting

Heard there were a flock of about 30 Snow BUntings at the SH Point so decided to check them out in hopes of getting closer looks at them.  Happy to report they were only 25 feet away playing in the dunes.  They sure do dart around, never standing still for long so you can capture an image of them.

My Gardens ~Mid November Butterflies

Today's temps were in the high 60's with lots of sun which was great but the winds were 15-20 which probably kept the numbers of butterflies down but still a respectable numbers of species at 8 and another 3 species of caterpillars.

American Lady Butterfly

Common Buckeye Butterfly

Fiery Skipper - Female

Eclosed Monarch Butterfly today

Sachem Skippers

Variegated Fritillary Butterfly

My Yard ~ Monarch Butterfly

This Monarch arrived sometime on or before October 20 when it was tagged in my yard.  It's still here today which is a month later.  It's worn and ratty but hanging on.  Unfortunately the weather forecast over the next few days is against it's further survival. 

Conowingo Dam, MD

Moon over Conowingo Dam

I was able to spend a few nice hours today at Conowingo Dam watching the birds most notably Bald Eagles along with Double-crested Cormorants, Black Vultures and more.  It's been 3 years since I'd been there and I found it very crowded with lots of photographers.  There were also fisherman including the one pictured who was catching and releasing the fish he caught.

Bald Eagle

Catching & releasing

My Yard ~ Painted Lady Butterfly

 This Painted Lady came to hang out in my gardens for the 5 days which was great considering how scare they have been in Southern NJ this year.  Here the butterfly is taking advantage of the rotten fruit I put out for the butterflies.

My Yard ~ Late Season Caterpillars

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar

While out scoping out the butterflies I noticed yesterday that there are over a dozen Black Swallowtail Caterpillars on the Curly Parsley I supply for them.  I already have over 1/2 dozen chrysalis over wintering so I guess I'll have some more!

6 Cabbage White Caterpillars found

A Monarch caterpillar found also.

My Gardens ~ Butterflies

Several days of good weather has allowed us more days of butterflies.  Here are some of them.

Cabbage White Butterfly

Fiery Skipper - male

Orange Sulphur Butterfly

Question Mark Butterfly on Rotten Fruit

My Gardens ~ Late Flowers Mean Nectar for Butterflies

Zinnia with Orange Sulphur

Verbena

Lantana

Snapdragons

Calendula

Lantana

Calendula

Garrett Family Preserve @ Cape Island Creek

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Super Moon

Super Moon rising before sun goes down

Super Moon later in the evening

My Yard ~ Red-breasted Nuthatch

I was excited to see this Red-breasted Nuthatch at the peanut feeder that I had bought for the Blue Jays.  The nuthatch has a long sharp beak that was no match for the peanut shell.  It was so awesome to watch,

Garrett Family Preserve @ Cape Island Creek

Pearl Crescent Butterfly

Another walk at the preserve today which brought in 3 new species of butterflies.  Again, most of the butterflies are nectaring on the Wild Radish.  Not nearly as many butterflies flying as it was only 60 though still sunny.  Also the winds were stronger today sending milkweed seeds flying through the air.

Red Admiral Butterfly

Gray Hairstreak

Variegated Fritillary Butterfly

Milkweed Pod and seeds

Yard Bird #105 ~ Baltimore Oriole

This morning while out getting the hummingbird pictures I saw a flock of birds fly into the top of my cherry trees.  I was able to grab a few pictures.  I was happy to see a first fall Baltimore Oriole when I downloaded my images.

Hummers in the Yard

Rufous Hummingbird

3 years ago at the beginning of November I had a Rufous Hummingbird come to stay at my house for 7 weeks. It was really exciting as the birders came to determine whether it was an Allen's or a Rufous.  This morning I caught some movement out f the corner of my eye and realized a hummer was in the yard.  It's a late migrating Ruby-throated hummingbird so there's still hope for a Western hummer to come pay us a visit.

Rufous Hummingbird 11/4/2013

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 11/5/16

Garrett Family Preserve @ Cape Island Creek

There is a newly opened wildlife area in Lower Twp.  The area covers 180 acres along the Cape Island Creek and encompasses a number of different habitats for birds.  It is also a great area for butterflies.  I recently met a friend there and we walked part of the property.  While walking I saw many Common Buckeyes and lots of Orange Sulphurs.  After she left I continued walking the perimeter trail.  I found a set of 4 arbors, a bird blind that overlooks both the marsh and an Osprey platform and all 3 of the artist easels that are set up around the property.  Along the green trail I found a field of yellow flowers that were filled with many Monarchs, Sulphurs of various species, Buckeyes and other butterflies and bees.  I look forward to going back again soon.

Sachem Skipper on Wild Radish

Cloudless Sulphur on Wild Radish

Mating Orange Sulphurs on Frost Aster

Orange Sulphur on Wild Radish

American Lady Butterfly on Wild Radish