If you wait, they will land.

September is prime butterfly time in FishHawk Ranch.  I recently waited close to the flowering plants around the large pond between Heron Glen and Teal Rise. I spotted about 7-8 types of butterflies and here are some of the photos that resulted. So, grab your camera, a couple bottles of water and plenty of patience, it will pay off.

Gulf Fritillary  Agraulis vanillae

 Monarch  Danaus plexippus

White Peacock  Anartia jatrophae

 Not sure of this one

Fall Fungi

September is a little late to find much fungus, however, it continues to lurk in the wooded areas and long the trails. I hope not to bore visitors with all the fungi photos, but there is such a variety in style and color. Here are a few recent finds from the conservation area between Eagle Ridge and FishHawk Blvd.

The largest find of the day, about 7 inches diameter.

The smallest find of the day, less than 1/4 inch diameter.

Beautyberry photos submitted by resident Greg Dean.

American beautyberry, Callicarpa americana.   A member of the verbena family, these bushes grow throughout the area.  FishHawk Ranch homeowners will often see birds enjoying the fruit.

Rhinoceros beetle. Although fierce looking, these are harmless to humans.

Baby gopher snake,  Pituophis catenifer, very common throughout FishHawk Ranch. These are non-venomous snakes and are beneficial, although they will often hiss and rattle their tail like a rattlesnake when disturbed.  They do not have rattles. They should not be destroyed.