03/04/2009, 12:13 PM
Canon EOS D60, 1/320, f/4, 105mm (24-105), ISO 400
I don't usually post observations not taken in the field. However, this was such a beautiful and interesting butterfly I couldn't resist.
Observed at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on the first day of their butterfly exhibit.
Commonly know as the Emerald Swallowtail. The green coloration is NOT from pigmentation but from STRUCTURAL COLORATION produced by the microstructure of the wing scales. They refract the light and give rise to blue and yellow visible reflections, producing the perception of green colour when additively mixed.
The shell is badly broken, but still very recognizable. This species is quite uncommon on the Caribbean coast of Nevis, but it is fairly common on the Atlantic coast of the island.
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Sighting and photos (c) gerald_eduarte.
Field Notes -
El chayotero, tiene características robustas en sus tallos y llega a medir hasta 10 metros de longitud sus hojas son lobulares y alcanzan los 20 cm, el fruto es similar a una pera grande. la tonalidad de su piel puede variar, entre el verde oscuro y el amarillo pálido.
In Mackenzie King Estate gardens
Brief description of what you observed
Nectaring on Aesclepias incarnata.
Brief description of what you observed
Double-crested Cormorant
September 11th, 2010
Lake Thompson, SD
Canon 50D, 400 5.6L
07 Oct 2011.
El Estero Park, Monterey Co, CA.
Basking in the sun on the lakeshore.
Giant Swallowtail