The August ID Challenge has come to a close, and we have a winner! Jason, aka Xenogere, was the first person to submit the most correct answers. We had 3 players, all of whom correctly identified each photo. Way to go! Jason has won a $10 donation to the charity of his choice, made in his name. As soon as I get that info from Jason, I will update this post with the name of the charity and  copy of the check. UPDATE: Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation is the lucky charity!

Winning Charity - August 2009 ID Challenge

And now, for the answers:

Picture 1 | Plano, TX | Northern Cardinal, female, fledgling

Picture 1 is an image of an adorable little female Northern Cardinal, complete with an “Alfalfa” feather-do.

Picture 2 | Plano, TX | Widow Skimmer Dragonfly

This dragonfly is a common sight in the US, and a happy one. Dragonflies always signify summer to me, and who doesn’t love summer?! This is a Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa).

Picture 3 | Plano, TX | Purple passionflower

Breathtaking in its beauty and complexity, the Purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) bloom is–although I have never seen it in the wild–a vine native to the United States. The flowers, which smell as lovely as they look, turn into fruit in the fall. I’ve got unripe passionfruit hanging on the vine right now!

The next ID Challenge will be posted on or about September 1, 2009, and will run for about 3 weeks. The prize is a $10 donation from Birder’s Lounge to the winner’s conservation/wildlife/nature charity. C’mon – have some fun and play for your charity!