Nature Coast – Page 2

Things that fly….

September 26, 2016 by KTgreen

I posted this in my “Project 365” page as my photo of the day. He did not appreciate the paparazzi!

Here’s the rest of the story.

I didn’t scare him away for long. He came back the next day. And the next, and the next. Fishing is good on our canal!

I was trying to get a good photo of this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail as it flitted from blossom to blossom.

Then came across this one that was happily posing for me.

I know that this is a “skipper”. I did some research in my Audubon book and on the Internet and I think it’s a Long-Tailed Skipper. There are a bunch of them on this bush right now. Must be a good time for them!

My Audubon book calls this a Palamedes Swallowtail. Although I think I’ve seen it referred to as a Eastern Black Swallowtail.

And then I found three caterpillars on the milkweed. I’ve always assumed that they are Monarch caterpillars. But this year I discovered that the Queen butterfly’s caterpillar also uses the milkweed for it’s host plant and we had a few of them this year. So I did a little research. According to the Texas Butterfly Website, the Queen caterpillar has one “set of antennae and two sets of filaments, while Monarchs have one set of antennae and one set of filaments.” These guys definitely have three protuberances. Queen?

I never find the chrysalis. But I do know the difference as butterflies. Hopefully I’ll be there to get some snaps!

Manatees in the Canal

September 19, 2016 by KTgreen

We’ve seen manatees many times in the canal behind our house. I often spot the “manatee footprint” which looks like a giant figure eight on the top of the water. Usually it’s not a “kodak moment”–the water is too dark and when the manatees surface it’s either just a snout or the back which just looks like a big gray rock.

But this time, it was high tide and a mama manatee and her calf were feeding on vegetation that had grown over the banks and seawalls on the canal. I was able to go out on the kayak ramp and have an up close and personal experience with the two.

The manatees usually have scars on their backs from boat propellers but I thought this was an odd mark since it was on her head.

Manatee Calf — Then her calf came up to me to say hi and it had the same markings. Numbers? Tribal tattoos?

It was a thrill to have them this close and being able to get some good photos of them! They weren’t afraid of me and only left when they moved on for more food.

Sarasota Slim at MacRae’s

September 12, 2016 by KTgreen

Stopped by the The Shed at MacRae’s on Sunday afternoon.

Because Sarasota Slim was there.

One of our favorite bands.

And they were good, as usual.

Sarasota Slim is a huge local favorite. Usually there’s no parking, no place to sit, and long lines at the bar.

Not so this time. We usually ride our bikes but it was 91 degrees. Even too hot for me. Took the Jeep and immediately found good parking.

And a picnic table to sit at.

Most of the patrons must have rode motorcycles because there were a lot of those! But still not as many as usual on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon. With a great band.

The river wasn’t even busy and it’s still scallop season!

Terry and I think that the masses must believe that Old Homosassa is closed due to the hurricane damage. There’s been a lot of coverage in the newspaper and on TV.

Riverside is completely closed down and some of MacRae’s motel units are under repair.

But The Shed and the Bait House is open. Old Mill Tavern is still serving drinks and food. Haven’t been by the Freezer but I’m assuming it’s up and running.

Just wanted to let everyone know that most of Old Homosassa is still open for business!