Favoritos de gillydilly

Slider resident male with nine years of observations - his size has never changed (4.5 x 5.75") and has always stayed in the front south west woods approximately 300' x 400' He is one of the first that started this amazing adventure of documenting just the turtles I see on our property ... 216 and counting! : )

To see all observations over time, go to "Observation Fields"at the bottom right.
Click on the words "Same specimen over time"and choose "Observations with this field and value" from the pop-up window.
Then select "Grid" view.

Eastern Giant Swallowtail - Heraclides cresphontes (syn. Papilio cresphontes, male)
Ledges State Park, Boone County, Iowa, USA
There were a number of butterflies at the damp sand by the "ledges", but only this one Giant Swallowtail.
Also posted at:
bugguide.net/node/view/555536

American Bison - Bison bison (male)
Antelope Island State Park, Utah. The population dates to an introduction in 1893.
There are said to be naturally-occurring Pronghorn and Bighorn Sheep at this park. I certainly missed them on my single visit, despite looking.

Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus (fledgling/juvenile)
This young owl was hanging around the grounds of The Chiricahua Desert Museum and was unperturbed by visitors on the path. The staff said it came from a nest across the street.
I'll bet this is one of the parents, seen on 25 May 2023 across the street.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164357918

Updated caption--ID correction in comments.
Scarlet Kingsnake - Lampropeltis elapsoides, found under a log, Sandhills area, North Carolina. This is a mimic of the venomous Eastern Coral Snake, now rare or extirpated in North Carolina, according to Braswell, Reptiles of North Carolina.

Lampropeltis_elapsoidesPCSL17104A

Zebra Conchylodes - Conchylodes ovulalis (Hodges 5292, wingspan ~25 mm)
One of my faves. Note orchid pollinia on eyes, likely from Cranefly Orchids in bloom (adjacent observation).
References

• BugGuide bugguide.net/node/view/4004
• Covell, Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Moths (Houghton Mifflin, 1984), p. 402, plate 56 (19)
• Moth Photographer's Group mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=5292

Common Snapping Turtle - Chelydra serpentina (presumably female)
Location: Durham NC (USA)
This large snapping turtle was in a neighbor's driveway. It has no doubt come up from the nearby lake to lay eggs. One of them (bravely) picked it up carefully and moved it out of harm's way.

Common Snapping Turtle - Chelydra serpentina (juvenile)
Location: Durham NC (USA)
Found on a road and detained temporarily for some photos.
Various images show the ventral side and various cryptic postures it would take. It really looks like a rotting leaf!

Scarlet and Kirkwood mating. Scarlet spent the month of June in rehab and now she is livin' life!! Last 2 pix were taken an hour later

To see all of her observations over time, go to "Observation Fields"at the bottom right.
Click on the words "Same specimen over time"and choose "Observations with this field and value" from the pop-up window.
Then select "Grid" view.