Above is a Blue Corporal (Libellula deplanata) dragonfly. This is a mature male.
Another dragonfly, this one I could not identify.
This one (above) is a Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia).
Another unidentifiable dragonfly.
And another.
As much as I'd like to see Monarch butterflies, this is not one. It is a Viceroy (Limenitis archippus).
Above, the white butterfly with black spots is a Cabbage White (Pieris rapae).
An oriole sighting is exciting for all birders. A singing male Orchard Oriole is even more uncommon. At this particular spot on the Trail, I've seen as many as 5 of them, 3 males and 2 females.
I went further down the Trail today than I've gone recently, and I was rewarded for it. I saw a Ruby-throated Hummingbird near the stream, and this male Prairie Warbler.
Taking cover in this tree is a Brown Thrasher. This isn't an uncommon bird in Cabarrus County, but it's the first one I've ever seen here on the Trail. I saw a total of 2 today.
The Killdeer was leisurely strolling along the trail just ahead of us.
The Indigo Buntings were singing loudly this morning. There were at least 15. I also saw a pair of Blue Grosbeaks, a first for the Trail. In all I recorded 40 species of birds on my walk this morning. To date I've ID'ed over 60 species at the Moss Creek Nature Trail since December. The count for my Big Year count now stands at 107 species identified, with a trip tentatively planned this weekend to a migratory bird walk held by the Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation Department at the Evergreen Nature Preserve. I hope to be able to add a good number of migrants to the list at that time.
Apparently Lily was comfortable in her new jogging stroller. She napped for about 30 minutes while I birded.
This thistle flower, the particular species of which I can't determine, was a very bright spot in an otherwise leafy landscape.
2 comments:
You would think I've been to Moss Creek Nature Trail but I haven't! Only been in NC for 2 years now and still using Mapquest... I'll have to look it up.
Your photos are great!
Your little girls are angels in their matching dresses. Enjoy "3", before you know it, she'll be 23.
Tell Mary to stop making those girls grow up (even though what she says is true!).
Your photos are great...looks like we need to find a good insect book!
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