Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

I’ve seen two Eastern Box turtles this year. The first time, pictured here, it was crossing the path that runs along beside the creek. I almost missed it as it was camouflaged in the shade against the leaf litter. I took these photographs and continued along to the pool. I didn’t spend very long at the pool and fully expected to see the turtle on my way back. But it made tracks after I left; I didn’t see it again.


I saw the second turtle on the path just below the house. She was in the process of digging a hole and looked to be about ready to lay her eggs. I took this photo and went on down to the creek.


I was hoping that she would have finished laying by the time I came back up the path. I planned to mark the place so that we could monitor it until the eggs hatched. Unfortunately, or fortunately, she chose not to lay the eggs there. She had abandoned the hole when I came back up the path. This wasn’t really the best place to lay eggs.

This isn’t the first time that Eastern Box turtles have laid eggs on our property. Soon after we moved here in the mid1980s, we discovered three hatchlings emerging from a nest not more than 50 ft from the house.
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Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)

I saw my first Juvenal’s Duskywing in the spring when the blueberries were blooming – the same day that I photographed the Olive Hairstreak. It was late afternoon and the light wasn’t good. I got a shot but it wasn’t sharp and, in retrospect, the duskywings’ colors were somewhat faded.

Recently a duskywing has been visiting the butterfly bush. Its’ markings are bright.


Identification resources:
- West Central Georgia Butterflies by Michael Beohm: Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
- BugGuide: Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
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White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)

This caterpillar was making it’s way across the path in the woods. I almost stepped on it.

Identification resource:
- Bug Guide: White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)
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Butterfly: Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)

I’m normally not a big fan of white and yellow butterflies. They are continually on the move and don’t settle long enough to be photographed and identified. But I couldn’t resist the opportunity to photograph this one that was working flowers in a small area. It worked back and forth between different flowers and, although I had to stalk it for a while, I got a couple of good pictures.


Identification resources:
- West Central Georgia Butterflies by Michael Beohm: Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- BugGuide: Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
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Southern Leopard Frog: Rana sphenocephala

Moving in or overnight guest?

Last night as we were leaving for dinner, W noticed this Southern Leopard frog sitting on the edge of the whiskey barrel. I had my camera with me and managed to get this shot; it’ s not the greatest but it was taken in low light. When I tried to get closer, the frog slipped gracefully into the water and out of sight.

When we got back, I checked again. There it was, sitting half out of the water. I managed to get much closer and used flash to get a shot. Apparently it felt much safer in the dark. It didn’t move.

When I checked this morning, it didn’t appear to be there. Just an overnight guest, I guess.

Identification resource:
- Frogs and Toads of Georgia: Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)

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Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius)

The Carolina Satyr is the most common butterfly in, and around the edge of the woods in the spring.

Usually they rest with their wings folded.

Occasionally, particularly when it is cold, they will rest with open wings in a sunny spot in the woods to absorb the warmth.

Identification resources:
- West Central Georgia Butterflies by Michael Beohm: Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius)
- BugGuide: Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius)

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Lake Rescue: Treehopper (Smilia camelus)

This little guy might have gone unnoticed if it hadn’t been for it’s bright lime-green stripe. And for it’s small size, it required a considerable effort to rescue. Two rounds, in fact.

I rescued it once and, in attempting to fly off, it ended up in the water again.

Treehopper (Smilia camelus)

Finally I got it onto an oar shaft. It rode around the lake on my shoulder.

Identification resource:
- BugGuide: Treehopper (Smilia camelus)

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