FLUTTERBYS

In the Zone

Charles Allen Haynes

September 6, 2022

Article changed 0.00% since publication. Last updated September 6, 2022.

I’ve been concentrating on the 712 Project and haven’t been out much. Yesterday Franca, Judy and I met Leslie Inman at Zonolite Park here in Atlanta. Surrounded by industrial buildup the park is nevertheless a nice place to visit. It’s part wild, part cultivated and obviously cared for. At first, in a slight drizzle I didn’t see much but the sun popped out and soon there was activity in the air. Leslie, who is familiar with that park, showed us to an area behind one of the planted gardens where there were several Gulf Fritillary larvae. I’m not totally happy with the photographs but I can improve with another visit soon.

We saw stands of Cardinal Flowers (Lobelia cardinalis L.), Orange Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis Meerb.), Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium fistulosum)… lots of other potential host plants.

Actually there was a jumble of species in evidence and the place deserves about 6 thorough hours of concentration on any given day. There are several habitats to peruse. First off… the Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae), adult male and larva. (Click the Image)

Next a Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) with a damaged wing… still actively checking out the flowers.

Bees… This is the Yellow Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus). I also saw this bee in Grant Park about 2 months ago.

Of course some of the usual suspects. This time of year the Praying Mantises are getting larger. There were Cabbage Butterflies and several Orb Weaving Spiders.