Trees and Shrubs of Bentsen Palm Village RV (Part 1)

I went down to see the woodworking shop today which turned out to be large with about 8 lathes and other carpentry machines and tools.  As I walked outside I saw an amazing tree later known to be a Ceiba Tree.  A pretty name for a formidable tree although it is a mix of beauty and the beast.  I decided I would photograph the RV park trees and shrubs.

Ceiba

Trunk is covered with spikes

Beautiful flowers on top

Hong Kong Orchid tree - non-native

Orchid tree has butterfly shaped leaves

Esperanza 

Retama Tree (aka Mexican Paloverde, Jerusalem Thorn)

Palms

Honey Mesquite

Texas Wild Olive (aka Mexican Olive or Anacahuita) 

Duranta erecta (Golden Dewdrop, White Sky flower)- non-native

Planted because it attracts butterflies.

Duranta erecta (Sapphire showers)

Skeleton-leaf Goldeneye (aka Resinbush or Golden Bush Daisy)

Bordered Patch Butterfly

White-checkered Skipper

November 4

I went for a walk to the state park this morning before the heat set in for the day.  It got to be 31 by early afternoon.

State Park from our gate

Half way to the park I came across an unfortunate Javelina which had been hit by a car.  A Park Ranger drove up and loaded it on the truck and off they went.

Javelina with a small tusk showing,

Altamira Oriole

Cardinal

Green Jays and Chachalacas

Green Jay

Mockingbird

Laredo Striped Whiptail

In North America, this Whiptail has a small and narrow range in the lower Rio Grande Valley.

There are no males in this species, only females and reproduction occurs through parthenogenesis.

The RV park has free bikes for us to use.

There are also free kayaks and free kayak trips and $10 pontoon boat rides for 3 hours on the river and resaca.  

It is a humid, warm night here with the insects just a singing.  I was hoping to hear a Whip-poor-will call at night as they have them here as well as Chuck-wills-widow, Common Pauraque, Common Nighthawk, and Common Poorwill all of which are Nightjars.  I saw a new bird today a Harris's Hawk!  

National Butterfly Centre Festival

We moved to a new site this morning with bigger trees, a citrus fruit orchard and cow pasture behind us and a small park in front of us.  More privacy.

Then I set off for the National Butterfly Center which was having an open house today.  It is just a few kilometres down the road from us.  This park has free bicycles but I decided to drive.  

Trails lead through plantings that attract different species of butterflies.

A Visitor Center has interpretive exhibits and naturalists.

Hackberry trail

Empress Leila

This Brasil Tree attracts butterflies

Texas Wild Olive tree

Texas Spiny Lizard (unfortunately no live photo)

Lantana plant

Soldier or Queen Butterfly the difference is slight

Gulf Fritillary (closed wing)

Gulf Fritillary 

Brown Longtail

White Peacock

Large Orange Sulphur

Empress Leila (probably)

Western Horse nettle ( aka Torrey's Nightshade)

Large Orange Sulphur

Bat house for Mexican Free-tailed bats

Lots of plantings for butterflies and other beneficial insects

Skipper spp.

American Snout

Julia

Well, I was at the Butterfly festival for 3 hours.  Meanwhile, back at the home site: