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