warm weather

he advent of warm weather has brought out a number of creatures into our midst -- some welcome, others not so much so.

The most welcome arrival was probably the appearance of Box Turtles which have been seemingly in hibernation all spring. A good-sized adult was beautifully marked with orange dots on a black backgound on his head and claws; the carapace was black with a repeated yellow pattern.

The increase in insect populations has been notable with no-see-ums aplenty on the marsh, a few mosquitos and Lone Star Ticks, several dragonflies (unidentified) and more than a few butterflies including Tiger Swallowtail, Red-spotted Purple, Spring Azure, one of the hairstreaks (possibly Red-banded) and an orange-winged skipper that claims a territory and strikes out after rival males or attractive females (possibly Zabulon Skipper).

The Clapper Rail has finally stopped calling (either because he found a female or because he left to try his luck elsewhere or because it's just too damn hot). I can still hear an occasional Yellow-billed Cuckoo.