Wrens and Friends

Baby Carolina wren trying to fledge. Love that tail! The wren family built a nest on a windowsill of our Chelsea farmhouse office porch. It is screened, but was missing a door. On this day, we opened the other door and 4 chicks successfully fledged.

Here's a beak! There are at least 3 house wren chicks in this house in our front yard at home.
Goldfinches are also known as wild canaries. They are around in the winter, but lose their breeding plumage and are mostly grayish in coloring.

Butterflies and Moths II

These two moths are the largest found in North America.

Butterflies II

Butterflies

The following two butterflies are named for small silver markings found on the underside of the hindwings.

Monarch Butterfly Metamorphosis

The monarch butterfly is one of the few that migrates each year like birds. The larvae feed on milkweed. In mid-July of each year, NABA, the North American Butterfly Association, sponsors butterfly counts for all species, similar to bird counts.

Just emerging! It's a boy! Luckily, we were able to witness this event in our butterfly garden at the Park one Saturday.

Before the wings were fully open, he was a docile pet for awhile!

Butterflies and Moths

Great Spangled Fritillary
These last two are day-flying moths aptly named for their quick hummingbird style of flight. Their wings have very few scales and are almost transparent.

Insect Collection

Butterflies, Moths, and Dobsonfly