(Zebra Longwing is the Florida State butterfly!)
We saw this turtle on a back road while on our drive home from dropping my rental car off.
(These frogs release a toxin through their skin and so it is not wise to pick them up with your bare hands.)
Notes from My Nest: We’ve had some brutally cold days here for the past two days with morning lows of 9 and 5 degrees! Today a nor’easter is headed our way and only time will tell if we will be hit or not. It depends on the storm’s final track. I’ve added a couple of new Yard Birds with Song Sparrows showing up almost everyday since I first spotted one a few days ago. I’ve also added Red-breasted Nuthatch and Turkey Vulture to the Mere Point Cottage Yard List. Last week I had a lone Red-winged Blackbird show up, and now I am seeing this species every day at the Mere Point Boat Launch along with Common Grackles, though the grackles have not visited my yard as of yet. When I stopped at the boat launch last night on my way home from town I also added Black Duck, Common Eider and White-throated Sparrow to the list of species seen at that location. The unpacking continues as I try to unpack and shelve all my books. Some of these books have not see the light of day in years. Gus bought us 5 new bookcases when we moved in here just so I could unpack them all. I will let you know how THAT goes! Right now my great room is a mess again!
Many Thanks to Doug Taron of Gossamer Tapestry for identifying the Zebra Longwing butterfly and Celeste Troon of Celestial Ramblings for Identifying the Cuban Tree Frog for me!
Nice flutterby. Brrrr, I do hope the cold lets up for you. Not nice at all to have such cold temps. so late in the season.
ReplyDeleteArija, we are all awaiting the arrival of spring here in the Northeast! We ended up without any snow or rain, just high velocity winds all day and into the night.
DeleteKathie, thanks for sharing some of Florida's critters, I miss seeing them.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the toxins & Cuban Tree Frogs. I had one in Florida who jumped on me a lot when I was in the pool. I called him "Bosom Buddy" cause that is where he kept landing. LOL
Mia, did you used to live down there? I din't know! that frog is cute and from what I understand the toxins are mild but can make you or your pet feel sick if ingested. Probably there was no problem since you were in the water and you didn't put the frog in your mouth! The name you gave it seems totally appropriate to me!
DeleteKathie, I lived in Florida for five years before moving to Utah. I still miss sand-crawling for birds.
DeleteI thought it was the Bufo toads that had toxins. No matter, that frog was a cutie.
I'd never heard of Gopher Turtles - blogs are a great place to learn! Enjoy your library.
ReplyDeletehappywanderer, I had not heard of them either but then saw something on PBS about them. They are interesting and attractive turtles in my book!
DeleteKathie, love the critters from Florida! The frogs and turtle are wonderful. I hope the latest storm is not too bad. Happy Birding!
ReplyDeleteEileen, I sure did enjoy my time in Florida and would love to go back again. There is just so much to see! The latest storm was all wind and cold but no snow or rain, for which I was grateful. More rain is on the way, however. This is just spring in New England!
DeleteHi Kathie
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like to are settling in. It is great you are unpacking your books so you can greet old friends that are once agian stepping into your life.
Guy
Guy, this is so true, and I hope I will get back init the habit of just taking down a book and sitting on the couch to read!
DeleteWonderful animals! This butterfly is gorgeous :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day!
Greetings from Poland
There's more out there than birds?? Ha, ha! Thanks for sharing these charming critters. I'll be back in New England in less than a week. I was hoping spring would have already paid a visit, but guess this year I'm going to beat it. Glad I have lots of warm clothes in my suitcase!! I'll try to bring some warm weather back with me!
ReplyDeleteHI Kathie Loved seeing all the Critters you saw in Florida. Keep warm and have a great weekend.
ReplyDelete