Signs of Spring

First Day of Spring.

Heralds of warm days to come:

A luna moth, Actias luna.  With its giant wingspan, it's one of North America's biggest moths.  It requires up to two hours to unfurl.  She hung out in the house until she was ready to fly.  Releasing her out the front door was necessary because of the insectivore Kingbirds nesting on my back porch.

Latin names fascinate me.  These nest builders go about their business with such fervor that we've nearly collided on occasion when I'm going down the porch steps and they're zooming past with nest fodder.  They'll screech an obscenity at me in passing.  Tyrannus tyrannus, As if calling them tyrant bird once wasn't enough!

Zephyranthes atamasca, or  Atamasco Lily is busting out in the wooded areas.

Happy Spring!