A good friend gave me Butterflies through Binoculars: The West (Jeffrey Glassberg) for my birthday. We had just been to the Tohono Chul greenhouse and I was marvelling at the tiny little butterflies (she said they were Blues) fluttering around the desert plants. After I perused the book, I realized how much more difficult it was going to be to identify butterflies than to identify birds. So many butterflies look alike.Last week I photographed some butterflies on our Red Bird of Paradise. The Sulphurs were large and easy to identify, although they didn't stay still for very long.
Cloudless Sulphur - male
Cloudless Sulphur - femaleWe've had swarms of sulphurs in the neighbourhood lately. We drive very slowly so they don't get crushed on the windshield.
The other butterflies were tiny. Using my Field Guide, I tried to guess what they are, but I wasn't at all sure of any of them.
Palmer's Metalmark(Apodemia palmeri)
Ceraunus Blue(Hemiargus ceraunus)
American Snout(Libytheana carinenta)
Thanks to t. beth of Firefly Forest for the identification of the American Snout: "They can be recognized by their long 'snouts'." and also for confirming my guesses and sending me the reference web pages for the Palmer's Metalmark and the Ceraunus Blue.
5 comments:
Butterflies and bats - how cool is that?! And you are so clever to capture them - it's really all quite wondrous Pam!
The bottom butterfly is an American Snout (Libytheana carinenta). They can be recognized by their long "snouts".
I only recognize one of these, and you already have that name. Just wanted to say your photos are beautiful!
chiefbiscuit - Glad you're enjoying our wildlife. Wish I could come and experience yours.
t.beth - I was hoping you'd drop in and share your expertise. Thank you for the ID of the American Snout. A most appropriate name. Do you think I have the others correct?
sandy - Thank you for visiting. I enjoy my visits to Maine via your beautiful blog. I can garden vicariously and enjoy the water and countryside.
Thanks for including the guide you like with the photos and ID's. I don't know butterflies, at all, so I'm excited to check out the book you're using. Your photograph of the sulphurs is beautiful, Pam. Hope you're having a good weekend!
Post a Comment