Little Walden Nature Trail

There is a little known trail at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons called the Little Walden Nature Trail.  I say this because in the time since I discovered it I have only seen a handful of people there.  Surely there would be more people visiting if they knew how beautiful and peaceful it was there.  But then maybe it would not be so peaceful! There are also a couple of gardens - a butterfly garden and the AIDS Memorial Garden.  The trail itself goes around a pond and then into the woods where it passes a little stone building (I have no idea of the origin of the building, but I love it!) and down to a creek.  To get to the trail, you don't go into the main Tanglewood entrance, it's the entrance right across from Harper Road and then take the first left.  And you don't have to pay 2 bucks to park!

Silver-Spotted Skipper

Eastern-Tailed Blue

This was taken a few weeks ago.  I was walking around the pond and this little guy kept flitting around me so I held out my hand and he landed.  Good Luck!  I have never seen one of these before and not sure exactly what it is.  I think some sort of Elfin.

Fridays at Reynolda Gardens AND Magic Wings!

Another Friday off from work! Woo! I am going to be so spoiled.  So yesterday before my weekly visit to Reynolda Gardens I took a trip to Durham to the Museum of Life and Science, specifically the Magic Wings Butterfly House. If you ever get the chance - go! Here is a link to their site: http://www.ncmls.org/exhibits/magic-wings-butterfly-house

 Clipper

 Shoemaker

 Tiger Longwing

 Zebra Mosaic - first time I have seen one of these

Paper Kite

And after that of course I had to go to Reynolda Gardens.

Cabbage White

A great day for butterflying!

Late Mother's Day Outing

Didn't make it to Tanglewood last week on Mother's Day because of the rain, but this Sunday was perfect!

These swallowtails don't like to keep their wings still, so I had to up my ISO and shutter speed to catch it.

Black Swallowtail

This is some type of skipper.  I always have trouble identifying skippers (well, except for Silver-Spotted).  I think this may be a Cloudywing.

Skipper

Also found this cool bug.  It was about 3 inches long.  I had no clue what it was, I had to look it up.

Eyed Elater Click Beetle

Fridays at Reynolda Gardens

What a beautiful day at my favorite spot.  And the best thing was I didn't have to go back to work afterwards!!

Silver-Spotted Skipper

American Painted Lady

Also had a surprise at the gardens today.  I almost walked right into this guy!

Black Snake

Atlanta Trip

I went to Atlanta, Georgia this week.  The main reason for the trip was to go to the Georgia Aquarium.  But of course I had to find a butterfly.  This was taken in the Centennial Olympic Park.  This was the only butterfly I saw in the whole park!

Cabbage White

Here are some of the fish from the aquarium.

 Discus Fish. These are actually freshwater fish.  I think these were my favorite.

Lion Fish.  I took this one with my iPhone.

There were butterfly fish also, but I have to say, photographing butterflies - much easier than photographing butterfly fish!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Went to Fearrington Village in Pittsboro yesterday to see butterflies...

Cabbage White

...and Belties!

Belted Galloway Mommy and baby.  Also known as Belties, or Oreo cows.

Fridays at Reynolda Gardens

Lots of pretty butterflies at Reynolda Gardens on Friday.

Silver-Spotted Skipper

Variegated Fritillary on a blanket flower

Cabbage White - My favorite shot of the day

, or ?

I saw this one flitting around the edge of the woods from my kitchen window, so I grabbed my camera and ran outside.  I had to chase him around for quite a while before I could get a good shot, but it was well worth it! I am sure my neighbors think I am nuts.  I am pretty sure that this is a Question Mark because of the markings on the upper wings (the dash in the upper corner), but there is no question mark on the underside of the wing, there is just the one line that doesn't really look like a comma either.  Either way - beautiful butterfly!

Fridays at Reynolda Gardens

I love little blue butterflies!  This is a Spring Azure.  The inside of the wings are a gorgeous blue, but this little guy would not open his wings for me.  Taken at Reynolda Gardens on my weekly Friday visit.