Identificaciones de cpgibson

With Clint Gibson; a stop to see if the cypress swamp could harbor Dukes' Skippers (Clint thought it a bit small). There were 2 Eufala Skippers and 5 or 6 Dotted Skippers here. I did not record the weather here. We left at 1348 and split up since Clint needed to visit Withlacoochee State Forest.

With Clint Gibson; exploring an area with TONS of blooming Partridge Peas and many blooming blazing-stars. I did not record the weather here but it was sunny, in the 90s, and with a "feels like" temperate around 100 degrees. We left at 1610 and headed south.

With Clint Gibson; exploring an area with TONS of blooming Partridge Peas and many blooming blazing-stars. I did not record the weather here but it was sunny, in the 90s, and with a "feels like" temperate around 100 degrees. We left at 1610 and headed south.

With Don Fraser; a visit to see what we could find. We spent time at three sites: two along Thunder Crossing Road north of Gopher Road, and one along Gopher Road east of Thunder Crossing Road. I am reporting the following animal taxa: 6 birds, 28 butterflies (including 7 skippers and 3 hairstreaks), 16 moths (including maybe a lifer), and 5 robber flies (including maybe a lifer). The weather at the start was sunny and 79 degrees ("feels like" 85) with calm winds. The weather at the end was sunny and 94 degrees ("feels like" 101) with calm winds. We left at 1316 at headed to Hardee's for lunch.

My complete bird list:

1 Downy Woodpecker (*ph,)
1 Chimney Swift (*ph.)
4 Barn Swallows (*ph,)
1 Bank Swallow
1 Cliff Swallow (orange rump seen well)
1 Northern Parula (*ph,)
1 Prairie Warbler (*ph,)
1 Pine Warbler (*ph,)
1 Pine Warbler (*ph,)
2 Eastern Towhees (*ph,)

This is typical of the very common ground-nesting small bees that are occupying south-facing dry slopes within my un-irrigated lawn. They tend to be quite active on warm late afternoons, They are very skittish in comparison to most bees, and will stay still and "play dead" if they see me when on the ground. They often hover around at about 10 cm above the surface, but when many are out they form very active patterns up to 1 meter above the ground