Favoritos de andros8

Photo 1:
You Will Fear Me!
I found some damage in a container of pentas and discovered the culprit. I removed it & placed it on a rock for a photo shoot. It promptly tucked its head & assumed the threat position with fake big head & big eyes. Meant to intimidate predators. The fake stinger on the other end is also prominently displayed. I give it an A for presentation.
Photo 2:
That's A Lot Of Eyes
I stood up and got a shot from above to show all of the beautiful markings and fake eyes. A very pretty caterpillar. I had plans on overwintering the pentas that were in a container so I relocated it to a clump in the ground that could be eaten. This guy is due to cocoon soon anyway. 5th instar.

White Rock lake, Sunset Bay pier
Photo 1
Can't Get Enough Of These Little Green Guys
As long as I can keep finding them, I'll keep taking photos of them. After 3 years of unsuccessfully looking, they are everywhere now. This one was especially pretty.
Photo 2:
Skin Detail
I cropped this shot to get a really close look at the skin texture and details.

Photo 1:
Well Dang!
I'd been eagerly watching my owl box since an owl visited it for one day in mid October. Only squirrels had occupied it since. At dusk yesterday I got excited when I saw a face with white on it which would rule out a squirrel. Grabbed my camera, turned on the flash since it was so dark. Dang it, that is not an owl either. Has to be a pretty small possum to get in that opening.
Photo 2:
Taking The Slow Elevator Down
When the interloper saw me, it sank out of sight in slow motion, was hilarious to watch. I made all kinds of interesting and coaxing sounds but it refused to look out again. This morning no sign of it. Back to hoping that someday a screech owl couple will move in & raise babies.

White Rock lake, Reinhart branch
Who Can Resist A Male Bluebird?
He is adorable. The males are looking for suitable nest holes in trees. They are in their breeding colors. Next up are attempts to attract a female to their nest site.

Sooo, There Were A Lot Of Them
I have to say this experience was overwhelming. The sound level was deafening. And there was so much going on, you just didn't know where to look or take a shot. I simply had to take as many shots as I could, covering all the areas of the pond and surrounding banks. Then during processing, see what I had and what I could make of it.

White Rock lake, Reinhart branch
Fierce Predator
This hawk is all business here. Watching for prey below. This pair has territory along a creek. They really like to eat the snakes they find in the vegetation below. So focused it totally ignored me as I went by.

Pink Chrysalis, The Night Before
With Queens and Monarchs, you can tell when they are going to come out of the chrysalis the night before it happens. The chrysalis starts turning translucent and you can see the butterfly inside. It will look like it is turning black but when you shine light thru it, it looks like this. Pink chrysalis #1 will eclose the next morning.

White Rock lake, East Lawther Dr.
Photo 1:
Proud Daddy
On week 6 with the barred owls, I found Daddy back at his favorite perch looking down at the nest.
Male Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Photo 2:
Proud Mama
I found Mama high in a tree looking down at the nest.
Female Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Photo 3:
Two Cute Babies
My first glimpse of two babies this time. One was shy & had its back to me. They were what both parents were looking at.
Barred Owlet (Strix varia)
Photo 4:
Shy Babies
Even when they both were facing me, they each were partially hidden. Aren't they adorable?
Barred Owlet (Strix varia)

Mama Needs A Nap But The Kids Are Hungry
I went to my grandson Dustin's birthday party today. In his backyard he has a robin's nest on top of his gate. Mama looks so hot & tired. But she has 4 adorable bottomless pits with mouths wide open waiting for food. Mothers all over the world can totally relate.

Photo 1:
Whoops! Left The Trash Can Too Close To The Screen Door
I have a baby possum that has learned it can climb up the door screen to get on top of my trash can. On this trash day I forgot to move the container out of reach of the screen. It was 5 in the afternoon when I caught the baby up there again giving me that innocent face.
Photo 2:
This Is What The Lil Guy Was After
The reason he goes there is because he can smell the cat food up there. I have neighbors who leave their cats outdoors. Can't keep them off my property. The only way I have found to keep them from eating the squirrels, birds, and lizards in my yard is to keep food up there so they are never hungry. That also keeps the cats drawn to my back yard (my bird feeders, fountains, flowerbeds and birdbaths are in the front) This lil cutie wants some of that free food.

Photo 3:
Oh No! You're Taking My Food Away
This is the look I got when I scooped up the cat food and moved it. Then I scooped up the baby and released him back on the ground. I feel like a big meanie but he needs to learn how to forage for his natural food on his own. That will lead to better survival skills.