Hidden in Sight- Part 2: A Mesmerizing Moth

 

Despite a snowy winter, the San Jacinto Mountains like most places in the west are once again in drought conditions. With little rainfall this year, there are fewer blooming flowers. So what do you do if you are a nectaring insect? Search for a blooming patch!

Coronis Fritillary

With fewer food and nectar plants available, there are fewer caterpillars and adult butterflies. While the birds are keeping a low profile since they are busy feeding and protecting chicks, I have been looking for other signs of life. I have no trouble finding lizards these days but I've seen very few butterflies. The other day I finally spotted a variety of winged beauties when I found a patch of purple flowers - mustang mint and southern mountain wooly stars.

Monarch

While I was trying to get photos of other butterflies, this monarch surprised me with a brief landing.

This is one of the few sightings of monarchs that I have seen this season despite all of the healthy milkweed plants that are growing.

Joba Skipper

The wooly star flower was the magnet for the majority of butterflies that I found on this trail.

Although the butterfly population seems lower than normal, the bees seem to be doing pretty well. When I saw this insect, I thought it was a bee until I started watching it carefully.

The first noticeable difference is that this "bee" didn't land on the flowers. Rather, it hovered in place and flew from one flower to another like a "hummingbird".

Then I noticed that it had a proboscis for slurping up nectar. Definitely not a bee! So what is this hummingbird/bee insect?? It is officially called a Snowberry clearwing moth (Hemaris diffinis) but it's nickname is "Hummingbird Moth". Watching this moth and trying to figure out what it was mesmerized me. Because I stood here so long trying to get a decent photo of this moth in constant motion, a well-meaning passerby asked if I was okay. ha

Hedgerow Hairstreak

My morning of unexpected "butterflying" ended with this hairstreak. Did you know they have hairlike projections off of their hindwings to trick predators into going after them instead of their head/antennae area to live another day? 

My latest unsolved mystery is why this beautiful unidentified dragonfly returns to our yard and lands on this pipe.....If you know the answer or know the ID of this beauty, let me know! 

A special thanks to Bruce, our local expert, for the butterfly identification.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Photos and content by Robin Roberts.

Hidden in Sight - Part 1: Nesters

Discovering bird nests is tricky. Birds, of course, want to keep their presence hidden for the protection of their eggs and chicks. Whenever I am lucky enough to find one, I keep my distance and use a zoom lens or binoculars for observation so the parent birds don't get nervous and delay feeding their chicks.

The female Bullock's Oriole flew in head first while I was admiring this unique hanging woven nest. 

Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii) Female

Luck was on my side during this hike at Hurkey Creek. Two nests in one day!

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

This hawk looked almost ready to take care of itself. I'm sure it's out of the nest since I spotted it a few weeks ago.

Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

These swallows nest in Garner Valley where they can find mud and either a shelter or bridge to build their nests as a colony. When I was here, they seemed to be in various stages. Some were still building nests while others were feeding their chicks. 

Cliff Swallows in Action

During these hot summer days, remember birds and other wildlife greatly benefit from a dish of clean water. Drippers are especially attractive to birds. Enjoy the birds! It won't be long before the summer visitors head south once again. Once that happens, you'll have to wait another year before they return.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Photos and Content by Robin Roberts