On the Mountain Serving as the Border between Israel and Syria

Posted February 10, 2021

Cattle on Mt. Hermon, Israel photographed by Jeff Zablow, 6/16/08

I do. I’ll not ever forget that morning on the peak of Mt. Hermon, the mountain that served as the border between Israel and Syria. At 7,000 feet above sea level, my guide, Eran, and I expected to be alone on that June boiling hot ‘top of the world’ mountain top. Not so, for see who we shared it with?

We theorized that these were Syrian owned cattle that regularly climbed Hermon to graze on its limited fare.

We marvel at the view here. It’s history, for sure. The mid-ground and background here capture Syria before it became its present Armageddon killing fields. Before Syrian army, Hezbollah, Russian ‘advisors,’ Cuban ‘advisors,’ Hamas, North Korean ‘advisors,’ Chinese ‘advisors,’ Pakistani ‘advisors.’ bin Laden’s men and more arrived to kill, rape and force out the tens of thousands who lived there. Ugh!

Me? I was there to find and to photograph rare butterflies, butterflies that lived there, and . . . nowhere else. Did I?

Yes!

Added to the experiences I’ve had that I shall not forget. Good.

Jeff

Variegated Fritillary At Nikki’s Lizella Nursery

Posted July 23, 2020

Filed under Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD, Fritillary, Locations for Butterflies

Variegated fritillary butterfly photographed at Black Water National Wildlife Refuge, MD

Went to Lizella, Georgia today, for our first visit to Nikki Taylor’s Dig and Design Nursery. After our 30 minute drive from North Macon, we pulled into her acres, and what did we find? Nikki has thousands, yes thousands of healthy, robust perennials for sale, all fairly priced. The selection was what you’re looking for: coneflowers, turtlehead, salivas (many), cardinal flower, agastaches, bronze fennel (to host Black Swallowtails), milkweeds, lantana (she has a variety that was swamped with butterflies, she agreed to make some of that beautiful lantana for us next year!) and more, much more. It’s the Best when a nursery owner is knowledgeable, schooled in her work, and generous with her time and pleased to answer your questions and more.

In flew a Variegated Fritillary ( Euptoieta claudia), it landing on a robust coneflower. I’ve not seen a Variegated this 2020 year, and it brought a big smile, for when they are fresh, as this one was, they are very, very easy on the eyes!

This Variegated fritillary butterfly was met at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland. You’ll see 100 Gulf Fritillaries for every one Variegated you’ll be lucky to see, so seeing one? Vundebar!

Jeff

None Of You Will Guess Correctly (Not Even You)

Posted June 30, 2020

Filed under Admiral, Ramat Hanadiv, Israel, Red Admiral

It’s a Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) nectaring happily on a flower bed. Guess where they were seen?

Ohio? Georgia? Arizona? Ontario? Wales? Alaska? Mexico? Japan? Azbekistan? Portugal? The Gold Coast? Kenya? Australia? Machu Picchu? Nicaragua? People Republic of China? Thailand? Malaysia? UAE?

Want to know where I saw it?

Ramat

Hanadiv in the HolyLand/Israel.

An international butterfly, no?

Jeff

Dragnet For A Duskywing

Posted June 29, 2020

Filed under Duskywing, Raccoon Creek State Park, PA

Duskywing butterfly photographed by Jeff Zablow at Raccoon Creek Park, PA, 5/06/08

Here’s one of my images that has long been prodding me, urging me to use it for a wingedbeauty.com post. Why have I kept it locked away from your sight? Try as I will with field guides, I cannot be sure which Duskywing butterfly it is?

A beauty it is, seen in Raccoon Creek State Park in Hookstown, Pennsylvania, about one hour west of Pittsburgh, and about 20 minutes or less east of the West Virginia-Pennsylvania line.

I dislike admitting, but Duskywings and many Skippers, well, they challenge, alot. Curt, Harry, Ken, Dave, or Jeff or Mr. Pyle, they’d all know.

Jeff

Comment On This Monarch Head Spinner?

Posted February 17, 2020

Filed under Eatonton, GA, Monarch

Monarch butterfly on Tithonia with intense blue sky, photographed by Jeff Zablow at Butterflies and Blooms in the Briar Patch Habitat I, Eatonton, GA

Taken in Virginia’s Butterflies & Blooms Briar Patch Habitat, we want to know what you think when you view it? Shot with Fuji Velvia ASA 50 film. Not PhotoShopped. A Fine Georgia day in the Piedmont.

Please do share what you think when you view this in mid-February?

What’s your thinking upon seeing this?

Do let all of us know, by completing a ‘Comment.’

Jeff . . . Who very much hopes to enjoy a Minimum of 20 ‘Comments.’