Tennessee

I recently returned from an enjoyable trip to Tennessee. 

Magnolia tree

Magnolia tree

Common buckeye butterflies were a lot more common down here.

Common Buckeye, Shelby county Tennessee

While watching the buckeyes in a parking lot, I noticed a group of vultures soaring overhead.  The light wing tips identified them as black vultures, a new species for me.  Occasionally they are reported in Ontario, but down here they are just as common as the turkey vultures.

Black Vultures, Shelby county Tennessee

Black Vulture, Shelby county Tennessee

Another bird highlight was coming across a fully coloured male summer tanager.  My photos are zoomed as far as I could and cropped so they are not as clear as they could be. 

Interestingly, unlike the scarlet tanager who turns to a dull coloured winter plumage, the male summer tanager remains brightly coloured year round.

Summer Tanager, Fayette County Tennessee

Summer Tanager, Fayette county Tennessee

 Another bird highlight was hearing the nasal calls of the fish crow one morning.

I also saw many familiar species.

Northern Mockingbird, Fayette county Tennessee

Magnolia Warbler, Fayette county Tennessee

Brown Thrasher, Fayette county Tennessee

I had the opportunity to taste the fruit of this persimmon tree. 

Persimmon tree , Tennessee

Our Tennessee visit was right around the time of cotton harvest.

Cotton field, Tennessee

On the way home we toured through the Great Smoky Mountains .

Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains

American Crow, Great Smoky Mountains

American Crow, Great Smoky Mountains

 

Another stop on the way home was at Seven Islands State Birding Park.  I was hoping for a northern bobwhite, but none showed themselves. I did get several lifer butterflies and saw another five lined skink.  Much better views this time.

Seven Islands State Birding Park, Tennessee

Five-Lined Skink, Seven Islands State Birding Park, Tennessee

Gulf Fritillary, Fayette county Tennessee

American Snout Butterfly, Seven Islands State Birding Park,Tennessee

Pipevine Swallowtail, Seven Islands State Birding Park,Tennessee