Monday, May 28, 2007

Visit to ANWR

When we first arrived at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, we were attracted by the profusion of wildflowers right by the entrance. We both started taking pictures.


Here's a shot of a bit of the flowers -- notice the globe seedheads of these pretty maroon and yellow flowers. And of course, where there are wildflowers, there are butterflies!

This butterfly was about two inches across. I don't have any butterfly books, so I bought a "quick reference" card at the park's gift shop. That was a mistake, because this butterfly doesn't seem to be on it!

I'm guessing from the size, shape and "design" that his might be a member of the "Brushfoot" family of butterflies, and a possible cousin of the "Painted Lady" -- but I think this one is different.

On the other side of the road were several swallowtail butterflies. From my reference card, I think these are Anise Swallowtails. This first one is a bit "worn".


This shot gives a better view of the head -- the body is also black with yellow stripes. That wasn't clear on the reference card.

I chased this little guy around for a minute or two before he landed long enough for me to get a shot. He was really tiny, no more than an inch across if you stretched it out!

2 comments:

Lee said...

Lovely pics, Stormy. I see you managed to capture a rare shot of Tarzan there in the first one! ;)

Stormy said...

Hi Lee,

Ah-E-ah-E-ahhhhh! ;-)

You can't tell from the picture, but he's wearing his new Duck Inn T-Shirt (that's really special!). You'll have to get him to tell you about Duck Inn sometime.

Maybe if he ever gets around to posting on the blog... ;-)