Every visit to the garden these days brings on a rustle of scurrying, slithering, and flitting. We've been seeing more snakes than usual with the Checkered Garter Snake most often spotted.
Its quite chubby in the middle, I'm guessing that's an anole or one of the many toads that have been hopping about.
This is probably a Rough Earth Snake, remarkable for its tiny size (adults are 7" long) and even color tone throughout. It has fallen into the pond and is using the recirculating tube as an exit ramp.
A single juvenile Katydid appears on the cannas almost every year. Where is the rest of the family?
Leaf-footed bug I've identified as Acanthocephala terminalis based on its dark color and red antennae. They are partial to prairie plants which are numerous in the garden this spring.
Lots of bees are out and about feasting on the abundance of flowers. Nine species of Bumblebees are native to Texas and valued for the range of flowers they can pollinate. There is some indication their numbers are in decline so I'm happy to see this one. They can be challenging to identify on the fly but this one appears to be an American Bumblebee which is also the most commonly spotted in my area. I accidentally touched a bumblebee in the garden and did not get stung because it was so focused on the beebalm. A fascinating experience to actually have it brush my hand yet not get stung.
Due to the cooler, rainier weather we've had fewer butterflies this year. There are still quite a few.
One of the aforementioned anoles (lower center) lies in wait to snap at passing moths while this Red Admiral Butterfly might be out of her league.
I've enjoyed watching the beautiful swallowtails which inhabit the garden in great numbers.
Giant Swallowtail
The same Giant Swallowtail in motion on the Vitex blooms.
Spicebush Swallowtail on prairie verbena
And to end the post with a deer photo. This time on the outside looking in as the fence is complete. The current gate is temporary until we can build one.
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The buffet is closed?!? |
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Love the video--and its subject. You do have snakes! The Checkered Garter Snake is gorgeous! Katydids and Leaf-footed bugs--great photos. I also have that Leaf-footed, I really should have included it, but I'm sure there will be some others around this month.
ReplyDeleteThe bee ID might be off, but you captured it beautifully. Thanks for joining in with WW.
I'd need a more direct shot of the back to get a better bumblebee ID. I'm having fun at this.
DeleteGiant Swallowtails! They're so beautiful. I hope I'll have them in my garden again this summer. Great motion capture. So many snakes! I rarely see them in my garden, but I know they're around. Happy Wildlife Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking butterfly pics and video. And the checkered garter snake is beautiful- thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteGreat post - the butterfly motion capture is exquisite. And...that garter snake is gorgeous. I love how you caught it sampling the air with tongue extended. How exciting to have brushed up against that bee. I'm glad you weren't stung, I bet you're right - everything seems so focused on feeding at the moment. I'm seeing more spiny rock lizards lately than I did for the past several years combined. I think they just aren't as ready to run off as usual, they have business to attend to!
ReplyDeleteThe spiny lizards are more numerous but hard to catch.
DeleteYikes, snakes! We have them here too but they're seldom seen. The butterfly shot is beautiful. Re the bumblebees, I remember a charming story recorded by the former garden editor for the LA Times (when the Times had regular garden features): he described his children petting bumblebees engrossed by (or drunk on) flower nectar.
ReplyDeleteThat is fascinating Kris. The bee was not alarmed and went on about her business quickly.
DeleteGreat little video of the butterfly on the Vitex flower, it looks like it's doing aerobics. I've heard that bumblebees are very gentle and not easily provoked to sting.
ReplyDeleteThe rains seems to have certainly brought out lots of extra life and activity in your garden Shirley!
ReplyDeleteThe Checkered Garter snake has such a nice scale pattern, and the big bump is impressive. The fluttering butterfly looks like stained glass when it catches the light. I see solitary little Katydids around too, sometimes. I had to laugh at the deer, looking longingly into its old dining area. That is such a great fence, and it looks high enough too. That would be heavenly!
ReplyDeleteLike Texas Deb the butterfly video is beautiful. How do you do that? I have a terrible time trying to capture a butterfly with its wings open and this would seem to be the perfect way to capture. Snapping the snake after its recent meal is another great capture. Gardeners are becoming wonderful stalkers on Wildlife Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteWildlife Wednesday does have me spending more time with the camera. I posted a how-to on the Awesome Motion (.gif) photos. They are easy to do once you get the idea, especially if you camera has a multiple setting. Set it on 10 or more and hold the camera steady.
Deletehttp://rockoakdeer.blogspot.com/2013/08/howd-she-do-that-hummingbird-in-motion.html
I liked the video, too. Beautiful butterfly.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen any snakes here, so far. I'm sure they're out there. In fact, we think a snake may have been the reason some hawks were having a fit a couple days ago. Maybe a snake threatening their nest.
Great photos of the Swallowtail. The video is fantastic! I've seen a few fluttering by -- and have been amazed by them -- but they just don't seem to want to slow down so I can get a shot of them! I really like your snake pictures! Thanks for sharing all of your critters.
ReplyDeleteWe have seen more snakes up here too this year....I love the butterflies and oh that last photo is priceless!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful butterflies but you can keep the snakes! They're beautiful too but the surprise factor of them quickly slithering across a path makes me jump. Glad to hear that you're doing o.k. during the rain and flooding!
ReplyDeleteI've gotten used to all that slithering now though a large adult snake can still surprise me.
DeleteI've definitely noticed the increase in wildlife in the garden this spring with all the rains. I have not, however, noticed any snakes in the garden...yet. I had a few varieties several years ago, but haven't spotted any for awhile. Snakes aren't my favorite wildlife creature, but I realize the benefits of the good guys, and definitely wouldn't mind a couple to come in and keep my rodent population in check. Your swallowtails are gorgeous. I've only ever spotted the Easter Black swallowtails in my own garden.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I love to see wildlife at home in a beautiful garden.
ReplyDeleteLots of great wildlife, there! Love all of the butterflies...and a good deer is definitely best on that side of the fence! :)
ReplyDelete