Tag: South San Jose

South San Jose

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Buckeye Metamorphosis

This was a wonderful find. One day we discovered more than 20 caterpillars on a single bush. We went back to visit regularly and watched the metamorphosis process of a buckeye butterfly.

Buckeye Metamorphosis
September 20th – This caterpillar is about two inches long in this photo.
Buckeye Metamorphosis
September 29th – The chrysalis. Not sure which of the many caterpillars made this specific chrysalis but I was lucky to follow this one for the rest of the process.
Buckeye Metamorphosis
October 8 – This is the butterfly that emerged from the same chrysalis in the picture above this one. After emerging, the butterflies tended to sit still for a while with their wings closed. You see here the underside of the wings because they are closed. (Photo by partner)
Buckeye Metamorphosis
October 8 – A little later, this is that same butterfly now with opened wings. This is the beautiful pattern of the buckeye butterfly. (Photo by partner)
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Cottonwood Lake

Cottonwood Lake

Reflections in Cottonwood Lake in Hellyer County Park. From this one spot, within 3 minutes of standing still, I saw fish jumping, three dragonflys, a little baby duck with a parent duck, and two small birds, all come to within ten feet of where I stood under a tree along the water. And then I watched this reflection in the lake for a while.