Catching Up: Butterflies, Grasshoppers, and Spiders

Some health issues have kept me from getting out much the past three months. So, the series on "Birds on a Wire," was a way to stay in touch.

Now that the "Birds on a Wire" series is finished  I'll catch up on a few short trips I've taken over those three months. First up, Some Insects:

Giant Swallowtail

Differential Grasshopper

Banded Argiope

Queen Butterfly

Red Spinner Dragonfly

Pipevine Swallowtail: Female

Green Valley Grasshopper

More from Patagonia Creek Preserve

In addition to the Coues Deer, there were a few other interesting photo ops on our little outing. The butterfly garden where we picnicked  was a week or two past prime, but a nice Cabbage White and Gulf Fritillary happened by.  On our hike in Patagonia Creek Preserve we came across a large Green Valley Grasshopper. Aside from the fact that he is green, the red legs are the tell tale sign. And, then finally Patagonia Creek is lined with 150 year old Cottonwood Trees - some of which five people couldn't get their arms around. And yet, they produce these wonderful delicate little flowers as seen in the last photo.

Cabbage White

Gulf Fritillary

Green Valley Grasshopper

Here he is again, not quite so camouflaged

Flower from the Cottonwood Tree