mercedes-fletcher's Favorites

Here begin my uploads from a windy few hours of mothing in the open prairies of Rita Blanca National Grassland in the northwest corner of the Texas Panhandle. The wind gusted 10 to 20 mph most of the evening, despite me having attempted to set up my station in the lee of the only trees in the region. Then my battery pack unexpectedly died at about midnight, so that was that. Nonetheless, I documented a number of interesting critters.
When I saw these pale Acrolophus moths on the sheet (several of them), I thought they were going to be A. mycetophagus but the checkered fringe and the details of the dusky pattern on the wings actually point to a pale form of A. popeanella.
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=373
Included here are three different individuals of this species, differing slightly in the density of dusky markings.

Photo quality is poor, but this was a partially white American robin. It is seen in this area fairly regularly, and people often try to photograph it.

Coloration: black head, white wings / tail, red breast

I went outside to go for a walk, picked up one of my boots, and started to put it on. They're almost too small, so I had to do some wiggling to get my foot in. I often don’t wear socks in my shoes, which I think was a good thing in this case. My foot was most of the way in when it touched something furry. I froze, trying to figure out what it was. It didn’t move either. Then I yanked my foot back out and looked inside, and there was a little rodent in there! I pinched the top of the boot shut before it could escape, then called to my mom that I needed my camera right now and I probably shouldn’t come in the house because I was holding a boot with a rat in it. She brought my camera out and I took some adorable pictures before it ran back into the toe. Then I dumped it out and it ran away.

This 35cm mullet must have gotten stuck in the undercarriage of my vehicle when I went through the Ivanhoe Crossing in the evening. The stench by Friday morning alerted me and I managed to drag it out. Damaged the head somewhat trying to hook it out with a fish hook and line as I could not pull it backwards.

Ew.

Well, I guess I'm in the unique position of having killed a fish...with a ute.

Taken during the first Port Aransas Nature Preserve Bioblitz, with Colleen Simpson.

Wade Strickland pointed out this Greater Flamingo to us. It's the escapee from the Wichita zoo (with leg band 492) that has been living on the Texas coast for years. It was initially just northwest of Salt Island. It made its way north, on the west side of the board walk, until it took flight and landed in tall grass just south of the birding center. I hope it hangs around for awhile!

I have too many moths to add here.But this one was exceptionally beautiful. ID from a moth expert . This one was sitting on my kitchen wall. After I took the photo she flew away and never revisited me.

Extremely rare endemic. Location obscured on purpose. Specific site known only to experts. See link for great story: https://baynature.org/article/ivory-billed-woodpecker-rare-wildflowers-now-unlikely-symbol-success-era-extinction/