At the pond between Eagle Ridge and Heron Glen.

Southern black racer, Coluber constrictor

This is a young snake. Black racers extremely beneficial and should never be destroyed. This is the most common snake in FishHawk

Adult black racer

Zebra longwing butterfly (Heliconius charitonius)

Giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)

Eastern tiger swallowtail (Pterourus glaucus)

Zebra longwing butterfly (Heliconius charitonius)

Pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor)

Black-bellied whistling duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis

Belted kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon

Ceraunus blue butterfly, Hemiargus ceraunus

Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus is very plentiful throughout the FishHawk community

Cassius Blue butterfly (Leptotes cassius)

 Juvenile white ibis,  Eudocimis albus, at pond between Heronglen and Eagleridge 

 White ibis taking flight at Avocet

 Bickering over the best standing spot in the pond

 

 Hawk feeding on a dove from our bird bath

Wood storks, Mycteria americana, at the Heronglen/Eagleridge pond

 Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), very common throughout the community

Grackles are also found in large numbers. I believe this is a boat-tailed grackle.

Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)

A non-native species, muscovies are similar in appearance to other ducks, but are easily recognized by their stocky bodies, black and white plumage, and red caruncles (facial bumps). They are common in urban and suburban areas, around parks, lakes, ponds and streams. Although people feed these ducks and consider them friendly, they can be aggressive at times.

Sorry for the long delay in getting another post. I have been very busy with my real estate activity.  I promise to have regular posts again showing the beauty in our community and hope residents will submit more of their own photos.

Opossum, female with baby, in our backyard

Vultures feeding in the dry pond between Eagle Ridge and Heronglen

Black snake, very common in our area and very beneficial!

It has been an extraordinary spring and summer for dragonflies.

February Flappings

Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus

Turkey vultures, Cathartes aura. These have red heads and legs. The black vulture has a grayish head and whitish legs.

Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos

Red-shouldered hawks

Black vultures, Coragyps atratus, on deer, disturbing to some people, but an important natural event

Happy Picturing in 2012!

The frenzy of the holidays is over. As the weather turns there will be increased opportunities for photos. Here are some from the last couple weeks.

Red-shoulder hawk

Water lily bloom on pond near Wrenwater

Monarch

Monarch

Shed skin from black snake

Close up of spider in conservation area near Kestrel Ridge