My daughter Sam and I walked the gravel road at Arboretum Trail Saturday afternoon in hopes of butterflies and dragons. The dragons weren’t cooperative, I saw several species but none would stay still long enough for an id. The butterflies where a little more cooperative. I saw several Falcate Orangetips, a Pearl Crescent, what was possibly a Goatweed Leafwing, an Eastern Tailed-Blue, a Gemmed Satyr, and last but not least a Gray Hairstreak a new species for me. See pictures of the individuals willing to pose. Click for a larger view.
Arkansas Arboretum Trail March 31, 2013
I visited the Arkansas Arboretum Trail Sunday March 31 during our latest short episode of spring before the return of winter. The Little Maumelle River was swollen to nearly three times its normal width and blocked part of the trail. I picked up first of season Louisiana Waterthrush and Northern Parula as well as seeing this Wild Pansy and Great Horned Owl.
Mountain Bluebird in Oppelo, Arkansas
All plans for Saturday were set aside when I learned that a Mountain Bluebird had been spotted in Oppelo, east of Petit Jean Mountain, perhaps only the second sighting ever of this species. I contacted my birding buddies and Saturday morning we were on our way. The bird did not disappoint. He showed within minutes of our arrival and acted like he owned the place for the next two hours. The morning was gray, cold, damp, and a bit windy so conditions were not ideal but I took about 70 pictures and was able to glean a few that were worth keeping. I’m looking forward to going back when it is sunny. Thank you Justin for finding this life bird for me and Samantha. Click on the slides for a larger image.
