Grizzled Skipper on Autumn Flowers

A butterfly or moth, it's a Skipper!

With summer winding down and autumn slowly moving in, what could be more heart warming than finding a new species of butterfly on the late blooming flowers?

While I was observing a number of smaller butterflies fluttering on the Mexican sunflowers and Russian sage, I happened to notice one with different markings on its wings.  I managed to get several exposures of the butterfly before it darted off, out of sight.  

My butterfly identification book listed this as a Skipper, the Grizzled skipper, in the family Hesperiidae of the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies).   The Grizzled skipper has a black and white checkerboard pattern on its 1.1-1.3 inch (29-33 mm) wings.

The Grizzled skipper may be called a butterfly; however they are in the superfamily Hesperioidea with the moth-like Hdeyloidea.  Butterflies are in the superfamily Papilionoidea from the genus Papilio meaning butterfly.  

The visual difference between the skipper and butterfly lies with the larger, moth-like body of the skipper, its smaller wings and hook-like antenna tip. 

  

Skippers are named for their fast, darting flight; and there are more than 3500 species across the globe. 

  

I will continue to watch my flowering plants for more Grizzled skippers that might be passing through.   What a treat to be there with my camera and catch this fascinating moth-like creature.  

Subscribe to and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will take me.  There are so many wonders in nature to explore!

For additional reading:
 

http://butterfly-conservation.org/50-1011/grizzled-skipper.html

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Golden Aspens of Green Creek Road

 A day exploring autumn in California's gold

What do you do when your photo-exploring plans must be changed due to weather conditions or a wildfire that has highway traffic diverted?   Well sometimes that change of plans might just take you on a fantastic path to discover hills of aspen trees in stunning shades of autumn colors. 

Thus was the case when I decided to head in a different direction and try out a new road that I had been curious about.  Between Virginia Lake and Bridgeport, California lies a dirt passage at an elevation of 7,400 feet, 2255m, named Green Creek Road.  To my surprise, the Green Creek Road was both wide and well maintained for a back country byway. 

Driving just a few miles, I began to notice rolling hills accented with yellow aspens. 

 

A short distance ahead and a large stand of aspens stretched across the road.  I was getting excited with this new adventure that I just happened upon.  

The road continued on straight through the stands of aspens and suddenly it was like being surrounded by nature in all her splendor.  I could hardly believe where I was being lead for this photo-adventure.  

 

I came to a much narrower turn-off on the left and the GPS indicated it was the Dunderberg Meadow Road, it was going to take me to even more aspen groves.  

 

After four-wheeling over bumps and dips, the trail narrowed through aspens that were showing a much older growth. 

    

 The feeling of autumn was definitely in the air and I was enjoying the quiet,  peacefulness that only nature can give.  

I could have lingered here for hours watching the golden leaves drift down in the gentle breeze. 

The sun’s rays were growing long with deepening shadows.  It was time to begin my departure from this  garden of autumn serenity. 

 

Maybe next year if my timing is right, I’ll make a return visit to linger even longer in the peaceful comfort surrounded by these aspen groves.  

Subscribe to and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be.  When I follow my heart, nature reveals her most intimate moments for me to share. 

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Sylvan Hairstreak Butterfly

A small butterfly with an accent of orange

One morning in late August I was attempting to photograph a dragonfly at the fish pond when I noticed small bluish butterflies on the mint flowers.  When the tiny butterfly came into focus with my Nikon 150mm macro lens, I discovered that it had an interesting orange accent on the lower edge of its wing. 

 

After I finished taking more photos, I rushed to my butterfly book and determined that this was a Sylvan Hairstreak, Satyrium sylvinus, one of the smallest butterflies in North America with a wing span of 1 to 1 3/8 inches (2.5 - 3.5 cm).   

 

Sylvan Hairstreaks are a Gossamer-wing butterfly which means that their delicate wings have the appearance of gauze with bright colors that reflect the sun when they are in flight.  The male Sylvan Hairstreak’s wing has a blue sheen with gray-brown or reddish on the upperside; while the female’s wing has more of a yellowish tinge with pale gray to white underside.  

 

The Hairstreak name comes from the hair like tail that extends from the hind wing.

 

Since their eggs are laid on the stems of a host plant, I will be carefully looking at the mint growing at the pond for any turban-shaped eggs or oval-shaped larva.  After winter’s hibernation, the caterpillars feed on the leaves of the host plant so I will also be on the watch for these caterpillars. 

 

 If by luck I do see the eggs or caterpillars, I will add a part two to this blog post.  

 

To read more about the Sylvan Hairstreak:

http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recNum=BU0081

Subscribe to and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be, there is so much in nature to explore!

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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The Great Reno Balloon Races

Hot Air Balloons ascend in the early morning sky. 

Around the second weekend in September in Reno, Nevada colorful hot air balloons fill the morning skies starting on Friday and culminating on Sunday. 

Held at Rancho San Rafael Park just west of the University of Nevada, Reno, The Great Reno Balloon Races have evolved into the largest free event of its kind in the world.

Using information on wind speed and currents along with elevation measurements, the pilots test their skill for a chance to win an $11,000 prize purse.

Beginning in 1982 with just 20 balloons, presently this event has evolved to at least 100 balloons filling the sky across the city of Reno.

 

Lighting up the early morning dark sky at 05:00, the Glow Show kick-starts the day.  

Next and equally thrilling, the Dawn Patrol is a trademark of The Great Reno Balloon Races.

Hot air balloons that are qualified to fly in the dark ascend and glow in sync to choreographed music.

A T-6 formation fly-over is performed by the National Championship Air Race during the singing of the National Anthem.

The Mass Ascension Launch follows the Dawn Patrol and begins at 06:45 as the balloons launch in the early morning light.

Up to 100 balloons take to the air and fill the sky with a multitude of colors and shapes.

During the day there are many exciting activities at Rancho San Rafael Park including balloon rides, demonstrations, art exhibits and concession stands.

 

With so many exciting outdoor events in Reno,  The Great Reno Balloon  Races are my favorite.  There is so much action and colorful balloons, I hardly know which way to point my camera.

Follow my Blog and subscribe to my photo-adventures to see where or what I will be focusing on next. 

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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View from Lookout Mountain, California

Photo-exploring on a crater's summit

Where would you go to spend the day on top of a mountain, among tall pines with a 360° view?  If you are in eastern California, that might be at Lookout Mountain.

Lookout Mountain is located on the Eastern Sierra and within the Inyo National Forest.  The name Inyo is Native American meaning dwelling place of the great spirit. 

 

To reach the summit of Lookout Mountain one must travel a gravel, dirt road that is opposite of the Mammoth Scenic Loop turnoff and is not maintained during the winter months.  

The narrow, one vehicle trail wanders through ancient Jeffery Pines that have their legacy almost as far back as the volatile creation of this peaceful mountain.  

Today, Lookout Mountain appears to be a  peaceful retreat.   However, its inception was due to a violent volcanic eruption around 677-692,000 years ago.  The summit crater that is just over a half mile, 1 kn, in diameter, is covered with gravely pumice and shards of obsidian which offer the few  traces of  this mountain’s volcanic features.  

Up high on this ancient summit, 11,158 feet, 3,401m,   wildflowers have managed to adapt in this harsh environment. 

 Yellow blooms of sulfur buckwheat accent the landscape against black obsidian and grey pumice. 

A walk toward the west gives a view of volcanic domes that run north to south:  Deadman’s Creek Dome, Glass Creek Dome and Obsidian Dome. 

Grey slopes, Precaldera Rhyodacite Flows tower on the northern horizon.

To the south are the Inyo Craters and the east side of Mammoth Mountain. 

Delicate white flowers of sego lily Calochortus nuttallii stand out in the dense chaparral.

 The tulip shape draws in pollinators and the entire plant was used as a food source by Native Americans.

Brilliant red of Desert Paintbrush, Castilleja, accent the grey alkaline soil.  Native Americans enjoyed the health benefits of this stunning plant which is similar to that of garlic.  

The shadows grow long, clouds flow across the western sky signaling it’s time to start my descent back down from Lookout’s summit.  With so many wonders to explore in the Mammoth, Mono County area, I am anxiously awaiting my next adventure.  When I go out on my adventures I try to have a blank slate which allows for the story to come into focus.

Follow my Blog and check back often to see where my next story will take you. 

For additional reading: 
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/long_valley/field_guides_lookout_mountain.html

With my Nikon and tripod, my goal is to recreate the scene as it appears in nature, to preserve in a photographic image the awesome, yet simplistic beauty of the scene that waits around a bend or over a hill. Sometimes it's a colorful landscape, and many times I'm allowed in the presence of the numerous creatures that adapt to life in the wild.

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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