This little Banded Hairstreak was busily drinking nectar when I encountered it in a forest meadow. I didn’t seem to mind me taking photos. In fact, it didn’t even seem to notice I was watching it.
Rat Snake Resting on a Branch
The Rat Snake is quite a capable climber. This individual took to the trees when we met each other on a lakeside trail in Central Virginia. It seemed to be just as happy making its way through the branches as it was winding across the forest floor.
Mason Wasp
When I think of the color of bees and wasps, I think of yellows, oranges, and reds. This little Mason Wasp is black and white with beautiful blue wings. Sadly, it flew away before I could get a another photo showing more of the wing. From what I’ve read, they mainly feed on nectar and caterpillars.
Great Spangled Fritillary
Perfect Camouflage
A tiny Cricket Frog sits still, assuming its nearly perfect camouflage will keep it safe. I never would have seen it had it not hopped right in front of me as I walked down the lakeside trail.
Big Red Flower
I don’t know what type of flower this is but it is big and very bright red. It was growing on a vine in the Conservatory at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden when I photographed it in May.
Don’t Come Any Closer
When I first saw this Rat Snake it was on the ground, just a few yard ahead of me on a small, little used, lakeside trail. I turned, took a few steps back, dropped my backback and got my camera ready. When I turned back around it was gone. In a matter of seconds it had disappeared into the forest. “Oh well,” I thought, “that’s how they survive.” Continue reading “Don’t Come Any Closer”
Cluster of Roses
This group of roses was one of those small scenes I just couldn’t resist photographing. The composition probably breaks all the rules but I like it just the way it is. To me the three roses in the background on the left seem balanced by the larger, fully blooming rose in the foreground and the opening bud in the upper right.
The dark green leaves of the rose bush are riddled with insect damage. Some photographers might be temped to “repair” them during processing but I like the imperfection of the scene. It reminds me that, upon close inspection, even the beautiful things in life are not perfect.
Pearl Crescent
This Pearl Crescent butterfly rests peacefully in a bed of white and yellow flowers. According to “An Instant Guide to Butterflies” by Pamela Forey and Cecilia Fitzsimons, male Pearl Crescents patrol their territory and will fly at other butterflies and insects.
Wild Daisies
Wild Daisies grow along an open trail on a late spring morning in Central Virginia.