Hover Fly (Toxomerus occidentalis)

These flies are quite small; about one-half inch in length. They have big eyes and a pretty pattern on their backs. They are quite common in the spring and fall. I’ve seen them on many types of flowers.

These flies are a little hard to sneak up on; I was surprised that this one allowed me to get close enough to get a photo with a macro setting.

Identificaton resource:
- Bug Guide: Toxomerus occidentalis
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Butterfly: Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)

I saw Cloudless Sulphur in the butterfly bush the other night. I couldn’t get a good shot but remembered that I had seen a pair mating beside where we vanpoolers park our cars during the day.

Identification resource:
- West Central Georgia Butterflies by Michael Beohm: Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- BugGuide: Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
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Zen: Sunrise

On the way to the lake this morning ...

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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