A month of babies. Another month has gone by with incredible speed. My family got a little larger with the addition of my new granddaughter. Her mom had a hard time, but is now recovering. It is hard to consider what is best, visit or not. We want to protect everyone from an unwitting spread of COVID19. Family and friendships are maintained despite distances measured in miles or six foot increments.

I continue to go out close to home. Babies of all kinds are around. A mother raccoon collected her wayward kit. Perhaps it had wandered off a little too close to the water. I think the baby's face looks like he knew he did something wrong and is now resigned to his fate of mom carrying him back where he belongs. Along the LA river, Black-necked Stilts have had their babies. Chicks run around the river and then back to tuck under their parent for protection. The adult looks like it has too many legs! I love listening to birds. I can often tell a bird by its song, but the babies all sound alike to me with an insistent high-pitched plea. Baby birds are often streaky. A baby Vermilion Flycatcher looks quite a bit different from its bright red father. I enjoyed watching and trying to photograph Barn Swallows feeding their babies without ever landing.

Butterflies are always pretty. I must admit that I only occasionally photograph Monarchs. They are the poster child for butterflies, but there are so many more butterflies that don't get the attention they deserve. If you love birds and butterflies, then you must love insects. Insects form a major portion of the diet for birds. Without insects, you wouldn't have baby birds.  And butterflies ARE insects. So scroll past the insects if you must, but some are quite beautiful and colorful if you take the time to look closely.

My current media for art is acrylics on paper. I was playing with a few techniques. I will probably continue in this vein for a while.

Even if you haven't gotten out for a walk yourself, I hope this window on the world brings you at least some peaceful distraction.

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimMooreNaturalist/

Watch the slideshows or click on the links to look through at your own pace. Links open in a new tab.

Enjoy the show! I always appreciate corrections to ID's.

Local stuff:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/new_jun_2020