Gulf Fritillaries et al.
These are three species that I've come into frequent and curious contact with recently, photographed, and developed somewhat of an affection for. When I see a Gulf Fritillary butterfly now, I think, "You know, I'm probably the only person to see that butterfly all day that knows anything about it," and that makes me feel (slightly silli-ly) more connected to the species.
Gulf Fritillary butterflies (Agraulis vanillae): found absolutely all over campus, and in numerous places in Gainesville. Just give 'em a big flowering hedge, and they flock to it. Here are a couple of my pictures. The Wikipedia description mentions that they have 'silvery spots' on the undersides of their wings, but it doesn't mention that these spots are large, brilliantly iridescent, and when they catch the sun, flash a bright glare into your eyes.
The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea Microptera): I've noticed these only in coastal areas around Florida--never really seen them inland, but when I'm on any sort of shore or near a swamp/river/bay, I usually come into contact with at least one. Walking on a dock above the Suwannee River, there were several attached to the walkway railings, and in an abandoned industrial pier in Horseshoe Beach, FL, I had one literally run into me mid-flight and then settle happily down onto the dock while I wasted no time in getting his portrait.
The third species needs some identification. It's a flowering tree found in droves in Gainesville--vibrant green, fairly small leaves shaped roughly like human eyes, very concentrated on branches, and bright, lightish pink seed pods that also concentrate themselves on single branches (one branch of leaves, one branch of seed pods). The seed pods are elliptical, but if cut in a cross-section, would look like a three-pronged starfruit. They're made of a filmy, fleshy material, half-leaf, half-petal, and the seeds are visible in the middle if you look in at the tip. They've only started to bloom in the last week or so, so if you've been keeping an eye out, I'm sure you've seen plenty! Unfortunately, my pictures of the tree are not yet online. (ETA: cbohall pointed out that it's the Mimosa Tree.)
Gulf Fritillary butterflies (Agraulis vanillae): found absolutely all over campus, and in numerous places in Gainesville. Just give 'em a big flowering hedge, and they flock to it. Here are a couple of my pictures. The Wikipedia description mentions that they have 'silvery spots' on the undersides of their wings, but it doesn't mention that these spots are large, brilliantly iridescent, and when they catch the sun, flash a bright glare into your eyes.
The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea Microptera): I've noticed these only in coastal areas around Florida--never really seen them inland, but when I'm on any sort of shore or near a swamp/river/bay, I usually come into contact with at least one. Walking on a dock above the Suwannee River, there were several attached to the walkway railings, and in an abandoned industrial pier in Horseshoe Beach, FL, I had one literally run into me mid-flight and then settle happily down onto the dock while I wasted no time in getting his portrait.
The third species needs some identification. It's a flowering tree found in droves in Gainesville--vibrant green, fairly small leaves shaped roughly like human eyes, very concentrated on branches, and bright, lightish pink seed pods that also concentrate themselves on single branches (one branch of leaves, one branch of seed pods). The seed pods are elliptical, but if cut in a cross-section, would look like a three-pronged starfruit. They're made of a filmy, fleshy material, half-leaf, half-petal, and the seeds are visible in the middle if you look in at the tip. They've only started to bloom in the last week or so, so if you've been keeping an eye out, I'm sure you've seen plenty! Unfortunately, my pictures of the tree are not yet online. (ETA: cbohall pointed out that it's the Mimosa Tree.)