Cape May Things with Wings

We did a day trip to Cape May yesterday. This premier birding destination is on the transition edge between summer and fall. There were only a hand full of shorebirds about. Mockingbirds were still feeding young. Several Osprey nests still had young calling for food and being watched over by parents, but the hawk migration count began its first day on Sep 1 with 145 migrating Osprey.

Many songbirds were calling quietly. Most young birds were on their own, but clearly not quite sure how to fend for themselves. Waterfowl numbers lie in the future.

In the hot, steamy shore weather, butterflies and dragonflies were in the air.

Here's a sample of the day ...

A few Monarch Butterflies were about, plus the occasional Viceroy which disguises itself as the foul-tasting Monarch ...

Viceroy

Twelve-spotted Skimmer (somewhat the worse for wear judging by the left hind wing)

Eastern Pondhawk

Black Saddlebags (female)

Green Heron (probably juvenile)

Common Whitetail

House Wren (juvenile)

Blue Dasher

Tricolored Heron (juvenile)

Chestnut-sided Warbler (juvenile)

Delaware Skipper

Good flying to all!

Flies - Butter, Dragon, Damsel

There are lots of winged creatures which attract the attention of the fraternity/sorority of binocular toters and camera pointers.

Here are a some in the "FLY" category, beginning with a few in my backyard ...

Viceroy

Viceroy

Pearl Crescent

Tawny-edged Skipper (note extended probosis

Tawny-edged Skipper (note the "curled" probosis)

A new area of exploration and learning for me are dragonflies and damselflies. Please consider these IDs to be tentative. If you can confirm or correct the IDs, your input will be much appreciated.

Blue Corporal

Northern Bluet

Blue Corporal - female (but very tentative ID)

An editorial comment: Butterfly guides are beginning to approach the usefulness and quality of bird guides. Not so the guides to dragonflies and damselflies. I have several, and they are exercises in frustration. Somewhere I hope there is a Peterson/Sibley/Kaufman for these fascinating creatures.

Good Birding ... or butterflying, dragonflying, or whatever!!