Today's walk report: 103017, finally fall?

Last couple of days of October and it looks like it might finally be fall for real in SoCal. Two days ago we were still pushing 100º f. Yesterday's high was about 78º and right now at 1:30 PM it's a pleasant 65º. Tomorrow is Halloween, so..... BOO!

Along with the higher temps come fewer walks or walks that mostly amount to getting them over and done with but there has been some picture taking. Here are some from walks taking place between October 8 and October 22.

The black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) is a passerine bird in the tyrant-flycatcher family.

Some kids apparently left chalk on the sidewalk and some big kid decided to write this.

Phoebis sennae, the cloudless sulphur or cloudless giant sulphur.

A western fence lizard, (Sceloporus occidentalis).

There's not a lot of certainty yet but we think this might be Eric Duck. Eric Duck has a gimpy leg so we need to see him walk around a bit. Anyway, it's a first duck sighting for the fall...

 and Doc has been expecting this so she had duck food.

This is Junonia coenia aka, the common buckeye butterfly. Doc was anxiously calling me over for this beauty since she hadn't recalled seeing one before. I haven't seen one either since October 2014.

Vanessa cardui or painted lady butterflies were enjoying the lantana blooms.

With wings open it's the easiest to tell the difference between Vanessa cardui and the very similar Vanessa annabella (West Coast lady). The larger area of white spots at the top edge of the forewing are orange on Vanessa annabella, not white as seen below.

Agraulis vanillae aka the Gulf fritillary or passion butterfly shows off the silvery white underside of its wings while resting on Calliandra californica (Baja fairy duster).
 

Happy Halloween everybody!