Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

 It's so hard to get good pictures of Green Jays due to the facial coloring around the eyes. Today, I got it right at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.

More Recent Butterflies

Reakirt's Blue

Gulf Fritillary

American Lady

Checkered White

Dun Skipper

Checkered White

Dainty Yellow

Sleepy Orange

Orange Sulphur

Sleepy Orange

Red Admiral

Northern Cloudywing

 

Lodging off the Beaten Path

I've been staying at this cool place the past 4 days. It's quirky & off the beaten path. It's several acres. You can climb to the top but the hills are pretty much straight up with lots of loose rock so I'd never be able to climb them. Over 20 species of butterflies, lots of birds especially black-chinned hummingbirds. I've had up to 8 hummers at the feeders on the porch on & off all day.

 

Great Butterflies ~ Variegated Fritillary & Juniper Hairstreak

 Lots of good butterflies here. Good numbers of Variegated Fritillaries plus I found a VF chrysalis out by the driveway. it's really gorgeous. Also, found Juniper Hairstreaks which I never expected to find. There is lots of variations of color on the wings.

Variegated Fritillary

Variegated Fritillary

Variegated Fritillary Chrysalis

Variegated Fritillary Chrysalis

Juniper Hairstreak

Juniper Hairstreak

Juniper Hairstreak

Pipevine Swallowtail's

There are many, many pipevine swallowtails in this area.  I have seen so many pipevine caterpillars on walkabout looking for a place to pupate. Here at my airbnb the garage wall has at least 5 chrysalis's and other caterpillars walking up the wall

 

Spring Wildflowers Along the Highways

 

Great Birds ~ Scissortail Flycatcher & Great Horned Owl

Scissortail Flycatcher

Scissortail Flycatcher

Scissortail Flycatcher

Great Horned Owl