December 2016 Sightings

Cloudy and stormy
Winds Northerly
Wind 10 - 15mph
Temps mid 40s - lower 60s

It was surprising to see more activity on this stormy day;when the day before should have been the better of the two days for sightings.

Mostly Cloudy
Winds Southerly
wind 10 - 15mph
Temp lower 40s - upper 60s

It was 60o and sunny when we found 6 butterflies on Dec. 2 - mostly in the remaining wild asters and goldenrod. One flew across our path and disappeared, looking most like an American Snout. After a long, warm drought we’re now in a normal winter stretch of wet, cold days (yesterday’s high was in the 40’s) with a hard frost in the forecast, so I expect the 12/2 sightings to be the last of the season.

My eyes caught a flash of orange in the gardens when I went out for the mail. I looked down and found this Monarch. She looked like she was trying to pump up her wings so I moved her to a more protected area as my winds are 25-30 MPH right now at 48 F. I am hoping she’ll be able to get them totally pumped up so she fly.

Mostly Cloudy
Winds Southwesterly
Wind 10 - 15 mph
Temp lower 60s - mid 70s

Clear, lows 70’s windy. Sleepy Morning in bloom.

Monarch continues, Black Swallowtail chrysalis continue

Partly Cloudy
Winds Northeasterly
Wind light 5 - 10 mph
Temps lower 60s - lower 60s

Black Swallowtail chrysalis continue. Monarch continues lower left wing deformed but able to get between Lantana and zinna flowers in the back yard.

Cloudy
Winds Westerly
Wind 5 - 10 mph
Temps mid 50s - lower 70

Sighted on a cold morning. Size was a bit smaller than the usual ones sighted.

Mostly Cloudy
Winds Northerly
Wind 10 - 15 mph
Temps mid 50s - mid 60s

A strong cold front is due to arrive before the weekend and bring us our 1st frost of the season.The prediction is for upper 20s,which has made it necessary to do some winterizing before start vacation.South Texas here we come.

Dense fog early,sunny by afternoon
Winds Southwestly
Wind 20 - 30 mph
Temps. low 50s - upper 70s
Counts will not appear,because of number of unfamiliar species.The start of the day with the fog breaking about 11am was slow,but when we got the full sun the came out of their shelters;it was great.There were some that I am still trying to ID,but that is the fun of it.

43 species. Number of individuals down but still pleasant species diversity. Highlights were ones shown in photo and many Common Mestras, Carolina Satyr,9 species of sulphurs, Checkered Whites, Brown-banded Skipper, Funereal Duskywing and Common Mellanas.

Mostly sunny, mid 60s. Very surprised to find a Southern Dogface this late but I got a good look at its markings as it flew by me. Monarchs were clustering and many flying around.

from 11AM to 4PM, 71 species.

With Fred Allen,Karen Finch, Dale and Jane Wallace. 79F, full sunshine. Light wind. Also had a Brazilian Skipper caterpillar on Yellow Canna. Many productive weeds missing due to recent mowing.

Mostly sunny
Temp. lower 40s - mid 70s
Wind Easterly
15 to 25 mph

from 10:45 to 15:45. One buckeye looked a great deal like a Mangrove Buckeye.

Sunny
Winds Southerly
Wind 15 - 20mph
Temps lower 60s - upper 70s
This was a day with the weather on the front side of a strong cold front.

The Spanish Nettles are coming back from our fall drought; but the rebound is slow now that it has cooled.This location had a large patch of Spanish Nettles before it got so dry.

55 species. About 3 hours. Approaching 90 degrees. South wind. Great variety but we couldn’t spend as much time as we wanted to. Highlights were male Pavon Emperor, Blomfild’s Beauty, Mexican Fritillary, Malachite, Mexican Blue-wing, Red-bordered Pixies, Pale-banded Crescents, Dusky-blue Groundstreak, Julia and Zebra Helliconians, Tropical Leafwings, Crimson Patch and Mexican Yellow. Unfortunately this was the last day before a big dose of cold weather.

Sunny
Wind. Southerly
Speed. 15 - 20
Temps lower 60s - upper 70s
Monarchs wouldn’t stay still,but its cats. didn’t move so fast.
The Buckeye fell victim to a predatory wasp,( Yellow Jack );while trying to get a photo of the Buckeye.

Sunny, low 70s. 1 female Sulphur that was either Cloudless or Large Orange.

Partly cloudy, low 70s. The Large Orange Sulphurs continue to survive in the little nature area of this park. They clearly like warmer weather as they spent a lot of time sunning and sitting around.

Mostly Sunny
Temps lower 40s - mid 60s
Winds northerly
Wind 10 - 15

This first day of winter, six Red Admirals were out enjoying the 60 degree sunshine.

Mostly Cloudy
Temps upper 50s - lower 70s
Winds variable
Wind 5 - 10 mph

Mostly Sunny
Winds Southerly
wind 10 - 15 mph
Temps lower 50s - upper 60s

Sunny
Winds Southerly
Wind. 10 - 15
Temp. lower 60s - mid. 70s

Sunny
Winds Southerly
Wind. 10 - 15 mph
Temps. lower 60s - upper 70s

Sunny
Winds southerly
Wind 10 - 15mph
Temps mid 60s - mid 70s

Partly Cloudly
Wind southerly
Winds 15 - 20
Temps lower 60s - upper 70s

The escaped Canola, Brassica napus, is providing wide spread nectar sources for our winter butterfly populations. Canola also gives us a nice splash of yellow along the roadside, and covers many of what would be barren fields.

Sunny, 70 degrees, no wind.