This Red Admiral was the second butterfly I saw in a sunny patch on the path down to the woods during the cool days in late spring. Another butterfly I would not have seen if it had not been for these unusually cool days. 
This butterfly spent more time with its wings in an open display.Identification resources:- West Central Georgia Butterflies by Michael Beohm: Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)- BugGuide: Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
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In late spring, we had a few cool days – at least is was quite cool in the open woods behind the house. The trees hadn’t leafed in thickly and there were patches of sunlight on the path down to the creek.
This Eastern Comma (summer form) had selected one of these sunny patches to alight and warm itself. Its wings were closed most of the time but occasionally it would flick them quickly open and closed again. When I disturbed it by moving too close, it would fly off, circle around and land again in the same patch of sunlight. If it hadn’t been for the cold days and the sunny patches on the path, I probably would never have seen this butterfly.
Identification resources:- West Central Georgia Butterflies by Michael Beohm: Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)- BugGuide: Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)Click the image to view a larger image
The Discolored Renia appears to be the most common moth in the woods at our place in the spring…
They are interesting moths. They look like tiny Concorde airplanes. So well camouflaged, I usually don’t see them before they take off and fly a little distance although in a less-streamlined manner than a Concorde. In almost 100% of instances they land facing back towards they way them came.
Identification resource:- Bug guide: Discolored Renia moth (Renia discoloralis)Click on the image to view a larger image
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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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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On the way to the lake this morning ...
The first time, I spooked one in the woods and it landed on a plant in an opening where W and J had dug a pool to encourage frogs to breed. This butterfly spent a few minutes on the plant before to flew off into the woods again.
The second butterfly I was able to photograph was in the woods. Again I spooked it and it landed on the trunk of a nearby tree. I was able to make my way through the brush and take several photos.
