FLORIDA CARPENTER ANT/SCORPION TAIL Florida Carpenter Ant (Camponotus floridanus) on Scorpion Tail flower (Heliotropium angiospermum) A series of images combined on 4 layers. Caption by Mark Deyrup: A Florida Carpenter Ant surveys the world from its perch atop a Scorpion Tail inflorescence. This common species of ant often visits flowers for nectar and is also attracted to the secretions of sap-sucking insects. There are a few species of plants that seem to be pollinated by ants, but, for the most part, ants are not effective pollinators. This is partly because they walk, rather than fly, and are unlikely to go from plant to plant. It is also partly because ants clean their bodies frequently, and remove pollen that is clinging to them. This photo shows an ant that is apparently folding its front legs in contemplation, but this is really an action shot that shows the ant using special combs on its front legs to clean itself.

These images were exhibited in three venues in Pinellas County in 2006 and 2007. They are available as framed or unframed prints. See the links below for prices. Other sizes are available in some cases, please inquire if interested. All the images were taken in my suburban yard (less than 1/4 acre) over three years time (2005-2007). They show some of the beauty and diversity that can be found in a landscape planted with Florida native plants.

LINK TO FRAMED IMAGE PRICES: http://cgstudios.smugmug.com/gallery/1466565/1/109333535/Original

LINK TO UNFRAMED IMAGE PRICES: http://cgstudios.smugmug.com/gallery/1466565/1/109333544/Original

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Christina Evans (cgstudios) > WANDERING GLIDER/BLAZING STAR

Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) on Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
A series of images combined on 7 layers.
Dragonfly authority Sidney Dunkle calls this species “the world’s most evolved dragonfly.” Wandering Gliders fly thousands of miles over the oceans feeding on "aerial plankton" and can be found around the world.
These gliders are one of the few dragonfly species that migrates. Twice in three years I have found up to twenty-five at a time in my front yard bed of tall grasses, where they spend the night perched two and three on a stalk. It is an amazing sight.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > MONARCH BUTTERFLY/PAINTBRUSH

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) nectaring on Florida Paintbrush (Carphephorus corymbosus)
A series of images combined on 12 layers.
Most everyone is familiar with the beautiful Monarch Butterfly. Not so familiar are these wonderful native flowers, which are a butterfly photographer's dream come true. This butterfly worked the same flower head for literally hours (often in the company of a large bumble bee). It remained close to this position long enough for me to take ten images that were very similar.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > NORTHERN PARULA / FLATWOODS PLUM

Tiny, multi-colored Northern Parulas often visit my yard during spring and fall migration. In areas of central Florida and northward, they build their nests in Spanish moss high in the tree canopy during the summer.

These warblers and others eat mainly insects and spiders gleaned from tree branches. They are not interested in bird seed. Water is the main attraction that brings them down into my viewing range.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > FLORIDA CARPENTER ANT/SCORPION TAIL

Florida Carpenter Ant (Camponotus floridanus) on Scorpion Tail flower (Heliotropium angiospermum)
A series of images combined on 4 layers.
Caption by Mark Deyrup:
A Florida Carpenter Ant surveys the world from its perch atop a Scorpion Tail inflorescence. This common species of ant often visits flowers for nectar and is also attracted to the secretions of sap-sucking insects. There are a few species of plants that seem to be pollinated by ants, but, for the most part, ants are not effective pollinators. This is partly because they walk, rather than fly, and are unlikely to go from plant to plant. It is also partly because ants clean their bodies frequently, and remove pollen that is clinging to them. This photo shows an ant that is apparently folding its front legs in contemplation, but this is really an action shot that shows the ant using special combs on its front legs to clean itself.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > PALM WARBLER / VIRGINIA CREEPER

Palm Warbler with Virginia Creeper vine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Palm Warblers are frequently found in my yard—during migration in spring and fall, and all throughout the winter. This proud bird shows the start of a rufous crown as it comes into breeding plumage. Its wet feet were from a quick dip in the backyard “bird creek.”

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > CARDINAL FLOWER

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Two images overlaid, plus a transparent filter layer.
This image was created in part by shooting two images—one in focus, one out of focus—and overlaying them, in an experimental effort to recreate digitally the effect created by stacking slides.
Cardinal Flower is a relatively new addition to my native plant garden, and has lived up to its reputation for striking beauty while in bloom.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Long-Horned Bee, Hanging Around

Male Long-horned Bee on stalk of dwarf Fakahatchee Grass (Tripsacum floridanum)

Caption by Mark Deyrup:
Long-Horned Bees (members of the tribe Eucerini) are largish, furry bees whose males sport long antennae. There are several Florida genera, and species occur in various colors from black to tawny. The word “eucerine” can be translated as “handsome antennae,” which this fellow is displaying in all their glory. Like most species of bees, these are solitary—in that they do not live in hives with a queen, like Honey or Bumble Bees. At one site in central Florida there are 114 species of bees, of which 107 are solitary. Some solitary bees live in aggregations, but nests are usually kept separate.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > NORTHERN CARDINAL

Male Northern Cardinal
Some of the cardinals’ favorite berries are those from Simpson's Stopper, Rouge Plant, and Firebush.
Our pair of resident cardinals enjoy the variety of berries and bugs available in our yard. Their “pretty, pretty” song is one of my favorite signs of spring. I’m often struck by their apparent devotion to each other—they are seldom seen apart.

FLORIDA CARPENTER ANT/SCORPION TAIL

Florida Carpenter Ant (Camponotus floridanus) on Scorpion Tail flower (Heliotropium angiospermum)
A series of images combined on 4 layers.
Caption by Mark Deyrup:
A Florida Carpenter Ant surveys the world from its perch atop a Scorpion Tail inflorescence. This common species of ant often visits flowers for nectar and is also attracted to the secretions of sap-sucking insects. There are a few species of plants that seem to be pollinated by ants, but, for the most part, ants are not effective pollinators. This is partly because they walk, rather than fly, and are unlikely to go from plant to plant. It is also partly because ants clean their bodies frequently, and remove pollen that is clinging to them. This photo shows an ant that is apparently folding its front legs in contemplation, but this is really an action shot that shows the ant using special combs on its front legs to clean itself.