Hallelujah

I just read that the "hunting" method of baiting; which is so prevalent in our area has been made illegal on public lands, beginning on September 1. It is about time. Somebody somewhere must have had a rod implanted in their spine. Now, I hope that this will be enforced; stringently. What will the Master-baiters do now?

I also saw that the statewide squirrel hunting season will open on September 10. I personally do not think this is a good idea. I do not believe that the season will be utilized. It is just TOO hot. It seems to me that squirrel hunting is nowhere near as popular as it once was. Probably one factor is that they can't be baited in and you actually have to utilize some hunting skills. I personally haven't hunted squirrels since 2004; when they cut down all of the trees around here. It was once; something I looked forward to and enjoyed. But; it is hard to justify when you can't just go over on the hill and hunt. Those 50 mile round trips to the woods, add up quickly.

The Commas' Comma

The Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) is a common butterfly of the woodlands and streams. While it may be common; it is equally difficult to photo. It is an erratic flier and rarely holds still; for any amount of time. I was finally able to get a good photograph; showing the comma of the comma. This photo is untouched in any way and totally natural. The comma on the wing is as bright as it shows in the photo. This shot was taken on Glady Fork, in Randolph County, WV on 7/6/11.


The Butterflies Of West Virginia and their Caterpillars (Pitt Series in Nature and Natural History)

Photo by High Virginia Images

Something To Consider

Many of you do not like to admit it; or just refuse to notice, but times are a changing. They are changing quickly , too. We no longer live in our parents or grand-parents world. Things are getting worse; everyday.

Do you carry a firearm when you are enjoying your outdoor pursuits? You should. I'm not talking about hunting; either. I am talking about berry-picking, bird watching, camping, hiking and everything else you can imagine.

Why ? You are now asking. The bottom line is that you never know what you are going to stumble upon, when you are outdoors. We are not just dealing with Cheech & Chong anymore. You may very easily walk right into someone dumping a body or engaged in a drug deal. Anywhere. Yes, right down at the end of your lane; maybe at the wide spot in the road where you berry pick. You never know.

One other thing that you may not be aware of is the fact that West Virginia is an open-carry state. You may carry a properly holstered firearm; unconcealed in most locations. (Be sure to read and interpret the laws on your own). The process for obtaining a concealed carry permit is pretty painless; you can do it.

Self defense handguns have evolved greatly in the past decade. There is something out there for everyone. I have pretty much settled on a Ruger SR 40. I went through several models; before I found something that felt good and I could shoot well. It is just a personal preference thing. I settled on the .40 S & W cartridge, for the simple reason that it will do anything that I would possibly need a handgun to do. The weight and balance of the Ruger suits me well.

If you have been thinking about carrying a firearm; now is the time. Your life may depend upon it. Always remember that law enforcement is an hour away; when you only have seconds.

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors             Photos By High Virginia Images   (c) all rights reserved 2011

Got Butterflies??

I just spent about 30 minutes outside in my garden and walking the surrounding wood-line. Numerous flowers are in full-bloom, the breeze was calm; but something was missing.

I saw exactly zero butterflies. No skippers, no swallowtails, no sulphurs; not even a cabbage white. Nothing ! Something isn't right; I have bee-balm, queen-anne's lace, ox-eyed daisies, black-eyed susans, butterfly weed, butterfly bush and other assorted species blooming everywhere. Not one butterfly.

Nothing was to be found except for one single Black & Yellow Lichen Moth. That was it. The bee population seems low to me also. I have a few of the small bumble bees on my tomatoes and I can see about a dozen or so honey bees on the white clover that is my lawn. No great numbers of either. As they would say in Alabama; "something just ain't right".
The Butterflies Of West Virginia and their Caterpillars (Pitt Series in Nature and Natural History)

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors     Photos by High Virginia Images

Wildflower of the Month/July

Butterfly Weed is finally blooming ! This species; along with other members of the Milkweed Family Asclepiadaceae are major butterfly attractions; throughout the Summer months.

Butterfly Weed or Pleurisy-Root (Asclepias tuberosa) is the most showy species of the family. The flowers range from dark orange to yellow. This beauty can be seen in dry fields and along roadsides throughout the region. It is hard to miss.

Butterfly Weed and the other milkweeds are an important host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars and a nectar source for many other butterflies, bees, bugs and other assorted critters. This standout of the fields cannot be overlooked; I just hope some butterflies show up this year to make use of this pretty plant.

Wildflowers and Plant Communities of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and Piedmont: A Naturalist's Guide to the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia (Southern Gateways Guides)

Photos by High Virginia Images                         Posted by High Virginia Outdoors

Butterfly of the Month/July

Butterflies seem to be present in very low numbers right now. I went out a little while ago searching for a butterfly of the month subject and had little success. There were a couple of sulfurs rapidly flying around; they presented no photography opportunities. I saw one cabbage white and no swallowtails of any kind. The only species present today in any significant numbers was the familiar Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) and you had to look for them.
The Silver-spotted Skipper is our largest skipper. It is common throughout North America; from Florida to California north to British Columbia and east to Quebec.
This species is found wherever black locust is present. It may be found in any open area throughout the High Virginia's. The adult butterfly feeds on a wide variety of summer flowers. The larvae host plants include many members of the legume family. The first brood of butterflies emerge in May and June. The second large brood begins flying in July and has the largest number of butterflies. The final partial brood emerges in August. Therefore the Silver-spotted Skipper should be easy to find throughout the Summer (even the Summer of 2011).
The Butterflies Of West Virginia and their Caterpillars (Pitt Series in Nature and Natural History)

Photography by High Virginia Images

Empty Nest

My tree swallows left the nest box this morning. There were three fledglings this year. The one brave individual was particularly worrisome over the past two days. It kept trying to fly; but just wasn't ready. I had to put it back in the box three times. They all managed to leave; as a family, early this morning.
They will be missed in the garden. You tend to become immune to the repeated aerial attacks; after awhile. I do not know if others experience this; but after the fledglings leave, I never have another tree swallow in my yard until next March. Once they leave the nest, they are gone until next year.
I did have my first ever successful bluebird nest this Spring. They are re-nesting right now. I am sure that a house wren will take over the tree swallow box soon. they always do.