The Birder’s Lounge ID Challenge! contest for September, 2008 has ended, and we have a winner!
First, I will reveal the correct answers and tell you a little bit about each of them.
1. Plano, TX
Picture 1 is better known as a Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor). This feisty little bird is a welcome sight at many feeders. I often see them in my walks through nearby riparian forest areas as well, sweeping through the trees in mixed flocks with chickadees. I remember my first “scolding” by one of these cuties. He/she was perched in a tree, but close enough that we were looking each other right in the eye. I was smiling and he/she was very definitely telling me to move on! If you live in the eastern half of the US, then you’ve probably been scolded too!
Global Range: 200,000 to >2,500,000 square km (about 80,000 to >1,000,000 square miles)
Global Range Comments: Resident from northeastern Nebraska east across southern Great Lakes region to southern New England, south to eastern Texas, Gulf Coast, and southern Florida; and west to central Kansas and west-central Oklahoma (AOU 1998, Banks et al. 2002).1 Acknowledgment 2
2. Pilot Point, TX
Picture 2 is a common butterfly, named Pearly Crescentspot 3 or Pearl Crescent. 4 I do not know for sure if there is a “correct” common name, but this is one reason why I always list the taxonomic name of the creature I am talking about. In this case, it is Phyciodes tharos. Even taxonomic names can be changed, keeping us all on our toes - and the field guide publishers in business! 
Documented Records for Phyciodes tharos
|
 |
3. Pilot Point, TX
Picture 3 is a great native perennial that is also available from many nurseries. This is a picture of Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) growing in the wild. And by “wild,” I mean the Lake Ray Roberts Greenbelt, off the Highway 380 trail head, in Pilot Point, TX. I saw this plant, blooming abundantly in a lavender-ish way, along most of the 3.5 miles I walked that day! This plant spreads easily from its underground root system, as well as by seed.5 If you have a moist area in your yard where nothing much will grow - this plant may be a good fit. I think it would make a nice border or ground cover, as long as you are not going for a manicured look. Also, think of using this native plant instead of the non-native Scabeosa varieties. (See my earlier post for pictures and brief discussion.)
And now for the winner of an 8 oz. bag of certified organic/shade-grown/fair trade coffee beans from Grounds For Change:
- AJ from Texas wins! Congratulations - your coffee is on the way!
Info about the September, 2008 Contest:
- 2 entries were submitted by 2 contestants
- The winner correctly identified 1 out of 3 photos
The next monthly Birder’s Lounge ID Challenge! will be posted on or about October 31, 2008.
- Ridgely, R.S., T.F. Allnutt, T. Brooks, D.K. McNicol, D.W. Mehlman, B.E. Young, and J.R. Zook. 2003. Digital Distribution Maps of the Birds of the Western Hemisphere, version 1.0. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia, USA. ↩
- “Data provided by NatureServe in collaboration with Robert Ridgely, James Zook, The Nature Conservancy - Migratory Bird Program, Conservation International - CABS, World Wildlife Fund - US, and Environment Canada - WILDSPACE.” ↩
- National Audubon Society® Field Guide to North American Butterflies, 1981 ↩
- Opler, Paul A., Harry Pavulaan, Ray E. Stanford, Michael Pogue, coordinators. 2006. Butterflies and Moths of North America. Bozeman, MT: NBII Mountain Prairie Information Node. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/ Also source of range map. ↩
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, http://www.wildflower.org ↩
