Today's walk report: 052719

Memorial Day.

A beautiful day and a wonderful walk with my lovely girl, Docken.

Here are the photos...

Slightly cool temps kept this male monarch butterfly around for quite some time.

Right behind me while I waited for the monarch to move from spot to spot was this very cooperative male Calypte anna hummingbird enjoying himself on kangaroo paws and leucadendron plants.

This is a western side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana elegans).

Mean Mister Mustard.

That's all folks! Thanks for coming along! See you real soon!

Today's walk report: 051219

Vanessa cadui butterflies are still everywhere but my enthusiasm for photographing them was on the wane today. I thought this was interesting though. Is this butterfly ovipositing (laying eggs) on a rock? It sure appears to be.

Here's a closer look.

Today's walk report: 051119

Once again, painted lady butterflies were en masse everywhere we walked.
The first shot was taken about 4' out our front door.

Then onto the local botanical garden.

Blue nolina.

A bee gathering opuntia pollen.

Prickly pear cactus.

Romneya coulteri, Matilija poppy.

This is a Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens). The name "Phainopepla" (pronounced fay-no-PEP-la) comes from the Greek for "shining robe," a fitting characterization of the shiny, jet-black plumage of the adult male. I have not seen this bird before. SoCal is apparently part of its breeding territory. My white balance was off which accounts for some of the bluishness as does the sky reflecting. The eyes however were really that red.

Meanwhile, happy Mother's Day.

Today's walk report: 050419

Once again...

The Vanessa cardui butterfly stole the show. They were everywhere.

Starting with dozens right outside our house on the two pride of Madeira plants in the front yard.

Then onto the garden...
In a blue palo verde tree...

along with many carpenter bees.

100s of butterflies, dancing on flowers.

This one was really taking its time in this Eremophila 'Big Poly' (Emu bush).

Just starting to bloom, this Yucca whipplei is something to look forward to.

I saw Rusty G. Alpha but wasn't able to get a good picture of him. This is a female Allen's hummingbird, perhaps Rusty's girl? She was inside his turf.

Sylvilagus audubonii... it has a nice ring to it.

I had a tremendously wonderful walk with my girl, Docken, on a beautiful May day. Thanks for stopping by.