Pollinators love basket-flowers

At Baytown Nature Center

The basket-flowers are blooming and that makes the pollinators happy. These pics were taken at Baytown Nature Center, Sheldon Lake State Park and my yard.

Bumblebees collect honey for transport in the pollen baskets on their hind legs.

Monarch

Tiger Swallowtail

Carpenter bee

Honey bee adds honey to it pollen basket.

Today's walk at BNC

A Great White Egret shook its feathers when I came too close. Then it flew away.

After a low in the 30s and three days of rainy weather, the sun came out.

With the temp at 50 F, it was a great day for a quick walk after our regular Friday Mexican food lunch.

Immature human stare down with an immature Yellow-Crowned Night Heron.

Monarch finds a sunny place to warm himself.

Fluttery Dogface butterfly finally ...

... let's me see her open wings.

Looks like this mockingbird has a low opinion of me.

Spring beginnings: monarchs and cardinals

Monarach pupa found under a bench I was planning to paint. Now I have to wait until the butterfly emerges.

Sorry this is such a bad pic. But I didn't want to disturb the baby cardinals. I think there are three in this nest at Sheldon Lake.

Butterflies and lantana

Zebra Heliconian in Resaca de la Palma State Park.

While spending a couple of misty, windy days in the Rio Grande Valley, we quickly discovered that if we found a sheltered patch of lantana in the sun, the chances of seeing butterflies increased.

Red Admiral, below, and Painted Lady at Choke Canyon State Park.

This Monarch also was along the birding trail at Choke Canyon State Park.