Ceraunus Blue – Hemiargus ceraunus

Posted on 2010/10/01 by birds n' bugs

This is the Ceraunus Blue. It is a small butterfly that is limited to the south. Normally, it looks a dull brown as it usually lands with it’s wings folded above it’s back. In the early mornings though, it sometimes spreads its wings to warm in the morning sun and you can see the briliant blue that gives it it’s name.

Normally, you see the blue as it flitters in the low grass and it disappears as soon as it lands. If you get close enough to examine it, it is one quick flick from leaving so, seeing the brilliant blue of the wingtop at rest is a rare treat.

Tech data: Blue – Nikon D50, 105mm f2.8 VR Micro-Nikkor 1/250 at f8
Brown – Nikon D50, 105mm f2.8 VR Micro-Nikkor 1/400 at f13

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Yellow-crowned Night Heron – Nyctanassa violacea

Posted on 2010/09/30 by birds n' bugs

These are attractive little herons that would barely come up to the knees of a Great Blue Heron or Great Egret. They may be seen at anytime but are most commonly out in the evenings and early morning. I found the little one on the left this morning as I started back from Ponce Park. When young, they are a uniform mottled grey as seen in the left photo. Adult plumage is a bit more striking with the creamy yellow crown and soft grey belly. They are great crabbers and will stalk the shallows for Blue Crabs for hours.

Tech Data: The left photo was taken with the D300 and Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 145mm. 1/50th at f5.0. The VR was definitely helpful as was a good elbow brace on the nature trail railing. The right photo was taken with the D300 and Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR-I 1/800 at f14.

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Damsels and Dragons

Posted on 2010/09/30 by birds n' bugs

The Florida wetlands are made for dragonflies and damselflies. They are both referred to as Odonata and look very similar at first glance and in flight. There are some differences though. The dragonfly has eyes that are very close together and touch on the middle line of the head. The damselfly has eyes which are seperated and placed on the sides of the head. There is a difference in wing position at rest. The dragonfly holds it’s wings away from it’s body while the damselfly holds them close and often parallel to the body.

The picture on the left is a Blue Dasher Dragonfly, the right is a Variable Dancer Damselfly.

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Little Blue Heron – Egretta caerulea

Posted on 2010/09/29 by birds n' bugs

This is a very young Little Blue Heron. Looks white, you say? Well that’s how they look when they first begin their life. Gradually over the next year, the white feathers will turn to a mottled pattern and eventually the full overall blue coloration will be complete. They often mix with Snowy Egrets and can be mistaken for them. You can tell them apart by the color of the legs and bill.

This one was taken from the bridge entering the nature walk and fishing pier at Ponce De Leon Park in Punta Gorda.

Tech data: Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-300mm VR, 1/250 at f8

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Caution: this contains pictures of a big spider

Posted on 2010/09/27 by birds n' bugs

I know that a lot of people are sensitive about them and felt that, with great power demanding great responsibility, that you should be warned.

I found this beauty at the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Most folks go there for the birds and that was really my primary reason for going.  It wasn’t a very good day but, I happened to be on Sanibel Island and decided to drive though. The tide had just begun to go out so the water was high and all the birds were off in the distance.

As I walked onto one of the observation piers, I noticed this on it’s web between the pier railing and the overhanging mangroves.

Since the day was dull, fill flash was used to bring out the coloration and provide needed light to get good depth of field.

It is a Golden Silk Orbweaver (Nephila clavipes) and a beautiful representative of it’s species.  The openness of the web made it possible to get both top and bottom from the same spider.

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Tech data: Nikon D90, Micro-Nikkor 105mm f2.8 VR, 1/60 f11 with SB-800 flash

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Ponce De Leon Park, Punta Gorda

Posted on 2010/09/26 by birds n' bugs

I spend a lot of time here. It’s 1.25 miles from my home and the turnaround point on my morning walk. The 10 acre park is home to The Peace River Wildlife Center which is a wildlife rescue facility.

The park is on Charlotte Harbor and has a boat ramp on the entrance canal to Punta Gorda Isles. The opposite side of the wall is mangrove swamp that runs all the way to Alligator Creek.

Ponce de Leon Park has a wide variety of birdlife. Brown Pelicans nest in the mangroves. There is a large population of Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Snowy and Great Egrets as well as Green, Little Blue and Great Blue Herons that are seen on a daily basis.

It’s one of the favorite local places to watch the sunset.

Here is a shot from 09/26/2010 showing a Snowy Egret catching his breakfast

Tech Data: Nikon D300, 70-300mm VR at 270mm 1/800 f5.6 ISO 400

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Hello world!

Posted on 2010/09/26 by birds n' bugs

Geee, I seem to remember those words from a long time ago when I was a programmer.  Now, I’m retired and living in Punta Gorda Fl where I play at nature photography.

This blog will be used to show some of my pictures and share some of my thoughts on photography.  Punta Gorda is a great place for nature photography.  The town itself sits at the top of Charlotte Harbor and is surrounded by wonderful natural areas to explore and photograph.

I will introduce you to my favorites as this goes along.

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