outdoor photography

Snowy Egret This morning I went to Orlando Wetlands Park with about 5 other people, and we had a pretty great time.  It was cloudy and threatened rain all morning, but it never really did.  Purple Gallinules were out in force--I counted 12. Purple Gallinule A couple Sandhill Cranes also decided to sing their lovely song at close range. Sandhill Crane Cattle Egrets My companions for the morning were also very interested in the flowers and butterflies, and it occurred to me that I often do just pass them by without much thought. Queen Ornate Bella Moth Four-spotted Penant Oats Grama

Queen Butterfly Today I went to Lake Lotus Park and saw several Queen Butterflies.  These beautiful butterflies are closely related to Monarchs , and they look very much like them, but they lack the black "veins" on the upper side of the wings.  They do have them, though, on the underside of the hind wings.  So I spent a half an hour photographing thesm this morning. Queen Butterfly Queen Butterfly Queen Butterfly