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Friday, July 18, 2014

American Snout

As I prepare this post (Thurs, 7/17) we had a record low temperature this morning of 62ºF (17C) which broke the record of 64ºF in 1967. The day before I was able to get out with my camera and not hate every second. I still sweated, but wasn't drenched. A first for me for the middle of July.

The American Snout or Common Snout Butterfly is found in both North and South America. Their elongated mouthparts along with their antennae give the appearance of the stem of a dead leaf. This is a brilliant form of camouflage from predators. But that didn't stop one feisty bee from attacking this one every so often.

If anyone knows what type of flower this is I would be most appreciative. The smell was perfume-y and heavenly.



Earrrrrly Saturday morning a friend and I are planning to see a Wood Stork event hosted by the Audubon Society. Right now the weather calls for rain, so if anyone is doing a rain dance within a hundred miles of here, please stop. :)

Enjoy your weekend. Hope I can return next week with some Wood Stork photos!

Thank you for hosting, Eileen & Misty!

55 comments:

  1. Optimistic ExistentialistJuly 18, 2014 at 5:43 AM

    That is a very beautiful butterfly. It's been unseasonably cool here as well Gail. It's been nice - reminds me of fall :)

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  2. The CrankyJuly 18, 2014 at 5:50 AM

    What an unusual-looking butterfly...and a kamikaze bee! Hope the rain holds off for you on Saturday.

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  3. AnvilcloudJuly 18, 2014 at 5:51 AM

    Yesterday, or maybe the day before, we came very close to breaking our 'coldest for that day' record. I think the record was 9°C and we hit a low of 10°C. Starting today, temperatures will return to normal in the high 20s.

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  4. Elizabeth EdwardsJuly 18, 2014 at 7:14 AM

    fingers crossed that you will have no rain for that fun sounding adventure. gorgeous blooms. love the last shot. neat-o!! have a great weekend. ( :

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  5. UnknownJuly 18, 2014 at 7:15 AM

    What an amazing creature! I'm always, always amazed at the photos you capture, especially the one with the bee attack - awesome!

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  6. TexWisGirlJuly 18, 2014 at 8:34 AM

    what a neat butterfly! have never seen one! that last shot is awesome!

    we had 66 this morning and i was thrilled!

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  7. Hootin AnniJuly 18, 2014 at 8:37 AM

    I have never seen one this close before!!! I'm glad to know that you're cooling down. Now, I expect some great photos from you....like as if your photos AREN'T great any time!!

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  8. Author R. Mac WheelerJuly 18, 2014 at 8:50 AM

    ahhh

    so cool :)

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  9. eileeninmdJuly 18, 2014 at 8:57 AM

    Awesome captures of the butterfly, it is new to me.. I am keeping my fingers crossed, no rain for you and your outing.. Happy Friday!

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  10. orchid0324July 18, 2014 at 9:05 AM

    What an amazing butterfly and unique looking bee with GORGEOUS pink flower♡♡♡
    Never seen a flower like that♬♬♬

    My fingers are crossed for the sunny Saturday for you, Gail♪

    Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

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  11. AnonymousJuly 18, 2014 at 9:15 AM

    Wonderful photos of this unique creature.

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  12. nookwormJuly 18, 2014 at 9:36 AM

    Your photos always pick me up when I feel down. Beautiful! I look forward to seeing the next ones of the wood storks and hope it doesn't rain.

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  13. hootnonnyJuly 18, 2014 at 10:49 AM

    Amazing critter and image, with a snout. "Snout" is one of those words that sounds weird.

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  14. StephanieJuly 18, 2014 at 10:52 AM

    Wow, I can't believe how low your temperature was yesterday! We have a gentleman coming to our church from Louisiana (he is working here until November) and he mentioned how nice the mountains were, dry and cool. So I said to him that I would love to visit Louisiana sometime and he told me don't go for a visit now because it's terribly hot and humid :) I guess I should have been there yesterday :)

    Anyway, beautiful pictures, Gail. I have no idea what kind of flower that is, but find it to be quite beautiful.

    Happy weekend and enjoy your early morning on Saturday!

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  15. KarenJuly 18, 2014 at 11:00 AM

    What a cool butterfly! Our temps have been great all week, in the 70's, going back up into the 90's now though :(

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  16. BreathtakingJuly 18, 2014 at 11:42 AM

    A truely amazing sight! I never knew such butterflies exsisted.

    The flower is lovey, sorry don't know it's name.

    Stay cool, and have a great day tomorrow.

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  17. HilaryJuly 18, 2014 at 11:47 AM

    Our days have been cooler here also.. but warming up (like AC said). Lovely pics, Gail. I hope you've identified the flower by now. It sure is pretty.

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  18. Bas.July 18, 2014 at 11:54 AM

    dit is gewoon geweldig mooi.

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  19. DebbieJuly 18, 2014 at 11:57 AM

    i LOVE when it rains, i do, i just do!!

    i know this post is about the butterfly but i just ADORE that flower!!!!

    have an awesome weekend!!!

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  20. BarbaraJuly 18, 2014 at 12:49 PM

    I don't know what that flower is, but it's beautiful. In the last photo, the butterfly seems to be saying "uh-oh!" at the approach of the fly. lol

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  21. Inspired By JuneJuly 18, 2014 at 1:29 PM

    I guess that bee wasn't in the sharing mood :) Great captures, as always, Gail! Enjoy the cooler weather. It's cool and rainy here today - a nice change for us in South Texas. We were just in Galveston for a few days. Got some fun shots that I'll be sharing soon. Hope the weather holds for you tomorrow. Have fun!

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  22. Petra PavlátkováJuly 18, 2014 at 1:31 PM

    The butterfly does look like a dead leaf. When I opened this post of yours, first I was actually trying to figure out what I was looking at. Great camouflage! And I like its eyes, they look interesting...

    Enjoy the event, whatever the weather is! :)

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  23. Tammy@Simple Southern HappinessJuly 18, 2014 at 1:50 PM

    We too had some awesome weather, too bad its going to get hotter again. FUN while it lasted.

    I am blown away at what you have there to photograph, I have never seen this creature so thank you for capturing its rare beauty and sharing.

    Have a blessed weekend and pray the weather will be good to you both.

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  24. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmJuly 18, 2014 at 3:28 PM

    It does have quite a snout. Cool pictures.

    Yes, it has been much milder here too. Quite a treat in July.

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  25. SallyJuly 18, 2014 at 3:47 PM

    Gorgeous photo's, Gail. The flower is beautiful also.

    I sure hope it doesn't rain for your outing today. And, here? Hot!!

    xoxo

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  26. JeanneJuly 18, 2014 at 3:52 PM

    It is cool. It was in the 50's at night a few days ago. I think it was a record. I don't know the name of that flower but it sure is beautiful.

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  27. FABJuly 18, 2014 at 4:06 PM

    FABulous images Gail of a new butterfly for me.

    Hot and very humid over here and waiting for our 2nd night of electrical storms!

    Hope you have a great encounter with the Wood Storks.

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  28. VieraJuly 18, 2014 at 4:29 PM

    The butterfly is amazing... But the flower is beautiful too... Great photos...

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  29. PantherkaJuly 18, 2014 at 4:55 PM

    The butterfly looks beautiful. Your photos are wonderful.
    I wish you a nice weekend.

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  30. Brian KingJuly 18, 2014 at 5:58 PM

    Really nice shots! I've never seen one of those and it would be very well camouflaged on the right plant or tree.

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  31. MichelleJuly 18, 2014 at 7:13 PM

    Great shots and I love the last one with the bee flying in!

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  32. DeniseinVAJuly 18, 2014 at 7:40 PM

    Spectacular photos Gail and I'm rain-dancing for you :)

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  33. ShugJuly 18, 2014 at 8:14 PM

    Hoping NO rain shows up down your way. I wait with great expectation of the photos that you will post from this event. I'm just not sure about this flower, but isn't it beautiful? Can you believe that the pestering bee was creating such stress for this precious butterfly? Just nature I suppose.

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  34. Spare Parts and PicsJuly 18, 2014 at 8:46 PM

    That really is brilliant camouflage! And great photos!

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  35. KerryJuly 18, 2014 at 11:14 PM

    Nice to have a bit of a cool snap in July, right? That flower is new to me, and the butterfly, too.

    I love the photo-bombing bee in the last pic.

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  36. LindaJuly 18, 2014 at 11:39 PM

    Excellent pictures! Love the last one!

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  37. maryaustriaJuly 19, 2014 at 2:03 AM

    Fascinating and beautiful! Great shots!

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  38. rainfield61July 19, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    Maybe the butterfly knows the answer.

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  39. EG CameraGirlJuly 19, 2014 at 10:50 AM

    The Common Snout Butterfly is sooooo interesting looking. I have never heard of it before.

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  40. eileeninmdJuly 19, 2014 at 1:05 PM

    Gail, I left my regular comment above just wanted to say thanks for linking up.. Happy weekend to you!

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  41. Adam JonesJuly 19, 2014 at 2:19 PM

    An interesting butterfly that I've not come across before. Great pictures.

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  42. UnknownJuly 19, 2014 at 2:31 PM

    Wonderful shots of this butterfly!

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  43. BalishaJuly 19, 2014 at 3:03 PM

    Maybe a Veronica Fairytale.

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  44. Wally JonesJuly 19, 2014 at 3:42 PM

    What a great butterfly! I have yet to see one.
    No idea on your flower. Is it a wild flower?

    Good luck with the Wood Storks!

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  45. Gemma WisemanJuly 19, 2014 at 5:32 PM

    Such a very pretty flower. And the contrasting tones of the butterfly seem embossed on it. Gorgeous photos.

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  46. LCJuly 19, 2014 at 9:27 PM

    Butterfly was new to me. Still hoping someone IDs the flower, too. Wr enjoyed the berief cool spell, too.

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  47. IrmaJuly 20, 2014 at 6:45 AM

    Beautiful series of photographs of the butterfly, Gail.
    I love the last one, with the flying insect.

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  48. Beatrice P. BoydJuly 20, 2014 at 7:26 AM

    Thanks for the butterfly ID, Gail, but can't help with the flower ID nd wonder if the bee would have attacked ?

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  49. StarlaJuly 20, 2014 at 4:58 PM

    I know I say this every time I visit, but I just LOVE looking at your photos of nature! They just bring me such a peaceful feeling for the time I'm visiting!

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  50. bethJuly 20, 2014 at 7:37 PM

    he's kind of ugly…LOL and we also broke a record for a cold morning/night in the month of july. what is up with mother nature???

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  51. SlamdunkJuly 20, 2014 at 8:44 PM

    Great shots Gail. The snout sure makes that butterfly unique.

    And 62 degrees? Wow, you all must have thought you were on an episode of the Twilight Zone or something.

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  52. Anita JohnsonJuly 20, 2014 at 8:44 PM

    I've never seen anything like it!

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  53. RoanJuly 20, 2014 at 9:51 PM

    I've never seen one of these. The flower is beautiful, but I've never seen it before either. The last shot is amazing!

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  54. AnonymousJuly 21, 2014 at 12:41 AM

    Wonderful shots - and brilliant timing with that last one.

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  55. Margaret Birding For PleasureJuly 21, 2014 at 1:30 AM

    Great timing to get that last shot. Lovely butterfly.

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