This week's greeters at BNC: blue-winged teal

Blue-winged teal have been hanging out this week in the new wetlands restoration area along the road leading into Baytown Nature Center.

I wonder if the busloads of kindergartners noticed the unofficial greeters when they arrived at San Jacinto Point for their field trip.

I also wonder if the students will remember the hand movements for the plant chant: seed, germination, seedling and plant. I know I will.

Big-eyed skippers on a warm day in the Valley

Texas Powdered Skipper

I like the wing design on the Texas Powdered-Skipper spotted at the North American Butterfly Association's butterfly center in South Texas.

It is more showy than Celia's Roadside Skipper, which is on the checklist guests can pick up at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park's La Familia Nature Center.

Celia's Roadside Skipper

On our daylong trek through the Valley parks, this white skipper also landed for us. I think it is a Laviana White Skipper.

White Skipper

Damselfly blends into in Rio Grande Valley's wildscape

Damselfly. Look closely.

On a trail a few miles from the Rio Grande along the tip of Texas, this damselfly was hoping we would pass by without noticing it sitting on a log. We almost did.

There it is.

Four orangish brush-footed butterflies at national center

Empress Leila

On a cloudy March day the bright butterflies looked even brighter at the National Butterfly Center. 

All of these orangey fliers are brush-footed butterflies or nymphalidae.

Sorry I didn't get pics of their little front legs that are covered in hairlike scales. Maybe next time I can get  them to show some leg.

American Lady

Pearl Crescent

Red Admiral. I really like the Red Admirals, but I'm never able to get a good pic.

Playing spot the moth

One of the National Butterfly Center trails.

We were walking along the upper trail at the National Butterfly Center in South Texas looking for butterflies. Yet we kept noticing the flutter of little moths that blended with the leaf litter.

The Thin-lined Owlet Moth seemed right at home along the shady woodsy path. Watch your step.

Sharing the walkway with a little snake

Little brown snake why are you on the sidewalk?

The concrete maybe warmer than the flowerbeds all around, but you are in danger of being stepped on or scooped up by a predator.

So quit flicking your tongue at us and get moving. Be safe!

Colorful birds in the Valley

After the feeders are filled at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, the birds come.

It's a treat to see these bright beauties: the Great Kiskadee and the Green Jay.

Great Kiskadee

Green Jay

The Plain Chachalaca isn't as colorful, but it is another bird you need to travel south to see. It's about the size of a chicken and loud.

Plain Chachalaca