Jordan Lake Dam, Haw River: I had to stop going through the more than 200 photos I took of this butterfly this morning and share this long-tailed skipper with all of you. I have never seen a long-tailed skipper before. I understand from some reading that some years this skipper is fairly common here and then some years go by where there are only one or two seen. It tends to be a further south critter. It really is that iridescent! Now, back to going through the rest of the shoot.

Jordan Lake Dam, Haw River, October 2, 2020. It was a big bird day: a fledgling bald eagle over head. It was a little bird day: a red-breasted nuthatch in flight. Migratory update: I last saw the Kirtland’s warbler at noon on Wed. at the dam, did not see her Thursday or Friday. I have been watching palm warblers and Cape May warblers in the same area. Most likely the Kirtland’s has headed on towards the Bahamas – I hope her flight goes well!