Ft. Sill BEARS

Last night we did pictures for the Ft. Sill BEARS! They were an energetic bunch, but they are also super cute!

And while they wait for soccer practice to start, they also have the opportunity to chase butterflies. We did their pictures beside their practice field and the bushes were covered with beautiful Monarch Butterflies.
I couldn't get one to cooperate and open it's wings, but I did get a couple of nice butterfly shots.

I haven't seen any Monarchs in my butterfly garden at home, so I was happy to see these. This told me there are Monarch's around - so maybe next year?

Butterfly Garden

On the way home from Okuma, we went to a butterfly garden.

There we saw LOTS of butterflies.
Japanese Butterflies!

More Japanese Butterflies!
And even More Japanese Butterflies!

These were all over! I think there were more of these than there were any other species.

A different angle.

And a group of three!

Grace liked the blue ones, but they are very shy, so it was quite difficult to get pictures.

Another blue one!

And another! This one looks like a large mosquito with wings, to me.

And the lantana flowers I have in my own butterfly garden seem to attract the most butterflies.

A Japanese Swallowtail!

An Orange Butterfly!

Sorry, I don't know the names of the Japanese Butterflies. Most, I have never seen before.

But - this looks a lot like the escape artist that visits my butterfly garden in the states. It is known for fluttering away any time I grab a camera.

Another blue one - with buck eyes on his back!

And another orange one!

And Grace slept almost the entire time we were at the butterfly garden. But, the butterflies loved her. Here they are worshipping at her feet!

And where there are butterflies, there are often hummingbirds! Here is a Japanese hummingbird!

And another. This one was backlit so it almost makes a sillhouette.

Butterfly Garden Update

Yesterday, there were at least three butterflies in my garden at any given time. I counted as many as nine at one time and saw many new species visiting. I was able to get pictures of SOME - but some refused to cooperate and flew away when I grabbed the camera.

This is a Buckeye! I don't know if it is a male or female, but pink seems to be it's favorite color! Could that be a hint?
This is a Gray Hairstreak!

And - I have been unable to identify this one! It likes keeping it's wings tightly closed so I can't see it's markings clearly!

And no - this isn't a hidden pictures puzzle. Just my Crepe Myrtle which I am happy to see in full bloom. It was sort of sickly when I bought it, but it was on sale and I hoped to be able to nurse it back to health. I didn't expect it to bloom this year, but it has and it's beautiful!

And, I think it is courting season in the butterfly world. Here are a couple of field cresents trying their best to impress one another.

The moths are even joining in on courtship rituals. I think these are ordinary skippers.

Mylitta Cresents - characterized by the row of black dots on their wings.

Mylitta Cresents again. These are my most common visitors! They are also the least afraid and the most cooperative. I wish they would mention how harmless I am to the big black swallowtail and the bright yellow and pale yellow butterflies so I might get a picture of them, also. And while they're at it - the hummingbirds need to get that message, too. They seem to hit the feeders in full flight and then high tail it out of here like a rude dinner guest.

Is expecting a few manners, expecting too much?

The Butterfly Garden

My little butterfly garden is growing and the butterflies have found it. I've tried to plant flowers that would attract butterflies and hummingbirds and it's worked out well, so far. I have seen only a few hummingbirds, but since we live in a new neighborhood, with no mature trees, what more can I expect?
Most of the butterflies that visit are Mylitta Cresents like this one! I have seen several other species, but most fly away when I run to grab the camera.
Another Mylitta Cresent
And although these two look very similar they are actually two different species. The one on the left is a California Tortoise Shell and the one in the right is a Pearl Cresent. There is not a lot of difference between the Pearl and the Mylitta Cresents - but the Pearl has more distinctive black borders and tan hind wings. You really have to look closely to see the difference.



And feel free to correct me if I have my species confused. I'm no expert. I'm just a nature lover who likes taking pleasure in the beautiful things that God has created for us to enjoy! There is something about the amazing detail that God has put into each little creation that puts me in awe of His greatness!

Just think about it! Look at the details on the flowers.... the butterflies.... the green foilage of the plants. I feel a tiny bit accomplished every once in awhile when I get a great picture, but just think about what an accomplishment it was to have CREATED all of this! We serve a amazing God!