Friday Night Photos Butterfly Garden Edition
Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 04/07/2023 - 5:00pm
Happy Friday everybody. I hope everyone is doing well. Post any photos, memes, or music you like.
With any luck at all winter is finally over and spring is here. It's been a whole week without rain and the temps have been in the 70s the last few days.
Every spring the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has their annual butterfly exhibit. It's been a few years since I last checked out the butterflies so I stopped by for a visit last week.
Blue Morfo
Monarch
Blue Morfo
Paper Kite
Blue Morfo
Could not ID
Malachite
Tailed Jay
Orange Julia
Giant Owl
Comments
I was really asleep at the wheel
with spelling. It's Blue Morpho, not Morfo.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Absolutely amazing creatures
Great photos. I remember playing softball and being in the field when the monarchs flew by and boy there were thousands of them. I haven’t seen that many in some time.
It looks like we are finally going to have spring. Yay! But we got a doozy of a last wallop before it came.
So much melted by the time I took this.
Most is already gone and all will be by Sunday. And the lake has gone up 3 feet with more to come. Hopefully we repeat next winter. Just not so late. Lol.. I’m still looking out the window to see how much snow we are getting even though it’s been sunny for 2 days. It just never seemed to end and then it did. Now when Sam goes out to roll in the snow she comes back in soaking wet cuz of how much water is lying on the ground because it’s so saturated. It’ll be a muddy spring for awhile…
Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?
Hi, snoopy
What a sight that must have been to see all those Monarchs.
Nice photos. All that snow is something I would expect to see in December, not April. It was a long wet winter but all the western states really needed the water. I bet a lot of people are relieved that the water level in the lake is up 3 ft.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
There's something
so majestic in both those photos.
Do you happen to have an outdoor dog shower?
It was something to see
I think there were a few more times they came through, but none that I remember in the last decade. Yes it’s great to see the lake filling up some. Mead has also gotten a couple feet which is good news for Vegas.
Alas no shower for the Sam, but if she gets too muddy the hose is hooked up.
Not that she minds it. Water in any form is good for her. I just have to remember to close the bedroom door so she can’t go in and soak the bed.
Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?
; )))
Leave a permanent note at the front door before you go or let Sam out. I was at my little local beach yesterday and met a soaking wet Water Spaniel who was having a great time.
Deep mid-winter last week
Spring tomorrow. Gotta love a continental climate. Or not....
Thanks for hosting SP.
Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.
So beautiful, Bollox
The photo is so delicately exquisite, thank you.
I hope Spring stays until summer.
Hi, BR
Lovely scene. I'm no fan of the cold and snow but there is something inviting in your image. Glad spring is almost there for you. Before you know it, it will be mosquito season.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Great minds
Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?
Hi Social
What a wonderful world it can be to look closely through a lens. Thank you for exhibiting creatures in all their glory.
That blue mofo on leaf is a bit trippy. It goes as well with your selection of music, as butterflies and flowers go together ; )
The colours of the Tailed Jay and flower it is enjoying for dessert are a wonderful combination.
The patterns and textures of the Giant Owl and the tree it is anchored on are wonderful. Is the tree a type of Palm tree?
Hi, Janis
I'm just glad that the Safari Park does this every spring. It's a great opportunity to see and photograph butterflies up close.
I don't know what type of tree the Great Owl is on. It could be some type of palm tree.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Young Purple Taro
Have an enjoyable and comfortable weekend all.
Simple and elegant
Nice!
I thought this might interest you for some reason.
And here is the back story of the picture and the woman in it.
Migrant Mother: Dorothea Lange and the Truth of Photography
Dorothy finally settled in Modesto, CA where I lived for awhile and there is a nice write up about her in this article that is worth reading. If not it’s okay. I enjoyed both articles.
Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?
Thanks snoopy
simple and elegant, or a least simple and satisfying, can be so rewarding : ). I will look forward to reading about Dorothea Lange. Her photos have always spoken so deeply.
My bad
Dorothy is the photographer. The article is about the woman in the photo. I think..oh well you will figure it out.
Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?
That should be very interesting n/t
What an interesting article, snoopy
The question at the end of the article is an important one to consider. Knowing the context of an image generally enhances my experience. To know something about the photographers intention and experience is revealing. And then, there's always more information that comes to light.
Like snoopy said "simple and elegant"
The Taro leaves make a great subject and the lighting is excellent.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Thank you Social
The lighting is all natural.
Hey J!
Hi Janis, Great purple pic!
Don't they use taro root for something, like maybe eat it?
I loved your smoke shot last week, the smoke almost got in my eyes!
Very cool photo, and not easy to do. Sometimes backlight, against a dark background are a couple things that often can help.
be well!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Thank you dystopian
It's the root that's eaten, of another, more common variety. Only the leaves of the purple taro are used. Island cultures and cuisines use the leaf to wrap food in to be smoked or cooked - sort of like banana leaves. The mature leaves are very big. You could roast a whole chicken in it ; ).
The 88 butterfly
Inspiration for an olds mobile
thanks for the flutterby fotos SP!
question everything
Hi, QMS.
Cool butterfly. Now I'm wondering if there is one with a 442 on it.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Quite a face on that butterfly, Q
Thanks for the photo.
great pic QMS
Hey QMS,
There are a few other very closely related species with other numbers! I think maybe a 89, and maybe a 69 too, there are few in that group, often called the '88's. They are tropical and one type is found not too far south of the Rio Grande. Neat pic.
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Hi pixelators
Hi all, Hi SP!
Awesome butterfly photos SP! Outstanding! Beautiful work!
I would sure like to see a Blue Morpho in the wild. I think the blue is mostly only visible in flight? We have similar like Great Purple Hairstreak, about the same color as the Morpho above, and you can only see the upperwings when they are in flight. Seems nearly a crime! Or torture.
I have seen a few wild vagrant Malachite here where I live, they occur almost annually in very small numbers in southern Texas, mostly along Rio Grande. The upperwings are bright lime green and chocolate! Gorgeous beastie. Have seen several of the Orange Julia here as well. I could use an Orange Julius now that you mention it. I think unknown one is a Heliconian Longwing of some sort, they are a huge group in the tropics, among which are the Zebra and Julia with those extra long forewings. Great structure!
The story I recall is that Doug Ingle (the singer) was sooooo drunk, and they had soooo many takes that the original working title to the piece, In the Garden of Eden, which it was loosely about, became sooo slurred, it got that new name. But if you think that lyric, it actually makes more sense for the song.
Thanks for hosting!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Hi, dystopian
It's both a crime and torture that the blue is only seen mostly during flight. It's a beautiful metallic blue. I too think of Orange Julius when I see the name Orange Julia. Is Orange Julius still around?
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Orange Julius
Hey SP! I don't know, but I think Orange Julius went by the wayside? Maybe they are still out there? I went boondocks 20 years ago and don't go to 'the big city'. Did not see one the last 10 years I was in L.A. up to about '03. They were great though. The fluffy aspect was egg whites. Besides the orange juice they added sugar and whipped frothy egg white. Which may have been powdered or something? I don't know how they did that part. But dang they were good. There was one across the street from my high school in Huntington Bch. and though little higher priced compared to other drinks, we loved 'em and drank gallons. Long time ago I looked up (web searched) 'mock orange julius' and there was a recipe to make them. Maybe meringue powder would work?
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Hi again
Here's a butterfly... a tiny 3/4" one.
Olive-Juniper Hairstreak on an Acacia sps. flower
same beastie
Here is a Julia Longwing dorsal surface, what a shape!
If only I had resolution!
Thanks for the great pics SP! and all!
countin' on y'all to have good ones!
and remember to take pictures!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Olive and Juniper
Do you think that would also work in a culinary dish? Do you have Juniper trees growing where you are?
Junipers
Hi Janis! Yeah we are covered in Junipers here. In many areas they are called 'Cedar'. Sounds quite the combo, olive and juniper. With the juniper hairstreaks there are 20 kinds and it is an absolute taxonomic mess. No one knows where the species and subspecies lines should be drawn. Some are very specific only laying eggs on one type of juniper.
One should limit Juniper berry intake as they can be hard on kidneys or liver I think it was. In my old herb tea days we used it very sparingly, as it can take over flavors. Lots are very allergic to the pollen, often called 'cedar fever'. My wife sometimes gets it real bad. When the trees are blowing off pollen it looks like yellow smoke if the wind blows. The volunteer Fire Dept. chases calls down, of what turns out to be cedar pollen, not smoke. Best use of Juniper according to worldwide reasearch is for gin! And Tennessee Red Aromatic Cedar is the one of choice for protecting clothing in cabinets, wardrobes, etc...
Olives on the other hand I don't think are possible to OD on.
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
From Big Pine to Texas,
it appears that Juniper measures largely in your experience. Despite that, I doubt you're a gin drinker.
In my experience one has to have some connection with British culture to enjoy gin ; ).
For a tiny butterfly
that Olive-Juniper Hairstreak packs a colorful punch. Nice shots of the Hairstreak and Orange Julia, dystopian.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
My usual checking in. Great photos.
Seeing a monarch always cheers me up! I've actually seen a rare one in our area.
Good news from snoopy that the Utah water bodies are starting to get replenished. Thanks again, everyone, for the positive lift. Rec'd!!
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
Good morning, orlbucfan
I use to see Monarchs all the time, but I don't see them very often any more which is sad.
Not only Utah, but all the western states got lots of much needed rain and snow this winter.
Thanks for checking in.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.