What flutters and flies and slithers? More pictures from July. First are two butterflies. In the ‘Southern park’ that I mentioned in the previous post, a common butterfly that is seen...

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

More pictures from July.
First are two butterflies. In the ‘Southern park’ that I mentioned in the previous post, a common butterfly that is seen there are the large cloudless sulphurs (Phoebis sennae). Sulphur butterflies are a whole group that I have woefully neglected, as they are extremely shy. Cloudless sulphurs are no different, but this one did land and here it is.

Cloudless sulphur butterfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

At the same park was this nice black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes).

Black swallowtail butterfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Next are a group of butterflies, red-spotted purples mostly (Limenitis arthemis), having a “puddle party”. This is where they feed on muddy ground to imbibe minerals and salts.

Puddle party! by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Many species of butterflies gather in groups like this. An interesting detail about this behavior is that the butterflies at puddle parties are almost always males. The trace nutrients that they gather are transferred to females during mating, and then it is provisioned to their eggs.

Next is an American rubyspot damselfly (Hetaerina americana)…

American rubyspot damselfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

… and the large large wasp-mimicking mantidly (Climaciella brunnea). This is the third one of these that I found last summer! It is getting to where I will just not bother taking pictures of them (kidding!).

Mantidly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Finally, I frequently encounter northern watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon), especially at a particular spot on a pond where I almost always see one. This big one moved off of the shore upon my approach, but then it paused in plain view and seemed pretty calm about my proximity. Maybe its the same one I see each time?

Northern watersnake by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Northern watersnake by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

The reason for my visit to the pond was to capture and bring home a special kind of spider called the "six-spotted fishing spider". The result of that effort will take a few posts. One of the highlights of the summer. Stay tuned!

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Absolutely lovely photographs especially number 2. Well done.

Dennis

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

Mark Sturtevant wrote:

More pictures from July. br First are two butterf... (show quote)

The water snake, in this picture, looks very similar to the Northern Copperhead. A very general way, the blotches on the front half in particular. This one must be recently shed. The colors show and it looks clean. They are often stained a muddy brown color from the water.
I look forward to the fishing spiders. I have seen a relative, Dolomedes tenebrosus, in the stilling wells in a water research project I worked on. Nearly five inches in diameter with legs spread.
They were on the sidewalls, underwater, and would grab fish that ventured close.
In captivity, one ate anything I tried to feed it. Small crayfish, fish, frog, tadpole, and a pinkie mouse on the list. And I thought spiders only ate insects ( except tarantulas).
Bill

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

newtoyou wrote:

The water snake, in this picture, looks very similar to the Northern Copperhead.
Bill

The water snakes are often mistaken for more than one species of venomous snake. I wonder if its is a case of mimicry. But of course water snakes are not venomous. One lesson that I learned about these, as a boy who loved to catch every snake I saw, was that these are not for picking up. Very "bitey". A bloody lesson I will never forget.

photosbytw Loc: Blue Ridge Mountains

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Mark Sturtevant wrote:

The water snakes are often mistaken for more than one species of venomous snake. I wonder if its is a case of mimicry. But of course water snakes are not venomous. One lesson that I learned about these, as a boy who loved to catch every snake I saw, was that these are not for picking up. Very "bitey". A bloody lesson I will never forget.

There is a woman and her husband on YouTube who often pick up any number of these water snakes. Almost every episode the women gets bit at least once and occasionally 5-6 times by the same snake. That snake in their videos is the Diamondback water snake.

Dennis

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

Mark Sturtevant wrote:

The water snakes are often mistaken for more than one species of venomous snake. I wonder if its is a case of mimicry. But of course water snakes are not venomous. One lesson that I learned about these, as a boy who loved to catch every snake I saw, was that these are not for picking up. Very "bitey". A bloody lesson I will never forget.

I don't mind being bitten. Water snakes have a nasty bite, tho.
Always clean a bite. Very 'dirty, germy'.
What is more unpleasant is the musk excreted by some anal glands as it thrashes and fights. Foul, and persistent. Rat snakes the same. Never make handleable 'pets'.
Bill

tinusbum Loc: east texas

"… and the large large wasp-mimicking mantidly (Climaciella brunnea). This is the third one of these that I found last summer! It is getting to where I will just not bother taking pictures of them (kidding!)"

yeah,me too

no,i'm still waiting for my first

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Sulphur butterflies are gorgeous, sadly we don't seem to have them in England but we do have the Brimstones. Fortunately I did see Yellow Clouds when living in Spain. Beautiful shots, all of them.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Another excellent series with educational narratives.