Dwight

@dwightreads.bsky.social

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Dad to Emily, husband to Leslie. Devoted servant to a basenji and a tabby cat. Appreciator of Florida wildlife. Proud Democrat. (All photos mine unless reposted or credit given.)

A female Red-bellied Woodpecker with black-and-white barred back and a red nape, is holding on to the side of the rough bark of a pine tree. Blurred green leaves are in the background. Interesting information: The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a common eastern U.S. bird, known for its black-and-white barred back and a red cap (males have a full red crown, females just the nape). Its name is misleading, as the reddish wash on its pale belly is faint and hard to see. These adaptable birds frequent forests, suburbs, and parks, and are frequent visitors to feeders, eating insects, seeds, and suet. The Red-bellied Woodpecker can stick out its tongue nearly 2 inches past the end of its beak. The tip is barbed and the bird’s spit is sticky, making it easier to snatch prey from deep crevices. Males have longer, wider-tipped tongues than females, possibly allowing a breeding pair to forage in slightly different places on their territory and maximize their use of available food.
The UK release is August 13, 2026 A teenage ghost in love with life becomes bound to the house of the grieving artist who summoned her via Ouija board in this darkly funny YA paranormal. One hot dog with banana peppers. That’s all Hot Dog wants. An invisible teenage ghost, she haunts a food cart outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Until one night, she’s accidentally summoned via Ouija board to a house party in Florida . . . where finally finally finally, people can see her. All the party guests scatter, except for Logan: the cool artist girl who doesn’t just see Hot Dog, she actually wants to talk to her. Logan, who isn’t scared of Hot Dog’s stitched mouth or chattering dress. Logan, who’s grieving her own dead BFF—and called Hot Dog by mistake. Hot Dog wants to prove it’s not a mistake. She can be Logan’s new best friend. She can go to Logan’s Halloween party. She can eat snacks, have sleepovers, and hang out. She can definitely smile without scaring people. Exactly like a real, human girl. There’s one problem: Hog Dog’s not a real, living human girl, and something in Logan’s sprawling house knows it. It scratches like rats in the walls. It opens a secret door in Logan’s attic. It wants to drag Hot Dog into the nothingness where dead things go. And unless Hot Dog can confront the dark truth of how she died, it will unmake Logan too. Gorgeously strange and stunningly written, this YA paranormal masterfully melds camp and creep into a beyond-the-grave coming-of-age.
The underside photo of a bright orange gulf fritillary with black spots and large, elongated silver spots has its wings spread out and is resting on the top of a pink flowering Pintas. Blurred green leaves are in the background.
My daughter standing on the shore, gazing at the masterpiece painted before her. The ocean is navy blue in color and the sky is painted yellow, orange, purple and blue.
A 16 year old girl from a poor village due to the land consumed by famine is chosen to be a concubine to one of the Emperor’s sons. She has to learn how to survive in a society totally unfamiliar that’s full of magic, intrigue and danger. She uses her wit and learns to read and write poetry that is magical even though it’s forbidden for women to read or write. I’m only half way through, so I’m not sure how it ends.
A Zebra Longwing that is black with yellow stripes is resting on the dark green leaves of a Bleeding Heart vine. A blurred purple red bloom is showing below and to the left of the butterfly. Interesting information: The Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia) is a distinctive black butterfly with yellow stripes, known for its slow flight and long lifespan, which is partly due to its unique diet of pollen in addition to nectar. It is the official state butterfly of Florida, where it is common, and its caterpillars feed exclusively on passion vines, which also make the adult butterflies toxic to predators. They exhibit social roosting behavior and have a fascinating mating ritual where males mate with females before they emerge from their chrysalis.
White Crepe Myrtle blooms amongst green leaves, and a bee flying towards them against a deep blue sky.
A female Mallard Duck that is mottled brown and tan with a darker cap, an orange bill with some dark markings. She’s floating on the surface of the lake that is blue in color.
A Snowy Egret is standing in the shallows along the beach. The Snowy Egret is white with black legs and a black bill and is staring out at the cerulean ocean. The sky above the horizon is a cobalt blue with wispy white clouds. From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: The snowy egret is a small and active wading bird that can reach a height of 26 inches (66 centimeters) with a 39 inch (100 centimeters) wingspan (Parsons and Master 2000). This species has a full white body, black legs, bright yellow feet, yellow marks around the eyes, and a black bill. The diet of the snowy egret primarily consists of shrimp, small fish, and small invertebrates. It feeds in fresh and salt water habitats within flocks of other wading birds
An Ibis that is white with a curved red bill and red legs is standing with one leg on a tree branch and the other leg is tucked up under a wing. Clear blue sky beyond. From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: The white ibis is a midsized member of the Family Threskiornithidae. This species is approximately 22 inches (56 centimeters) long with a wingspan of approximately 37 inches (96 centimeters) (Frederick 1996). Adults are mostly white with black tipped wings, a red face, red legs, and a very distinct downcurved, pink bill which is used to probe the ground for food while foraging. Ibis breed in large colonial groups along the coast and inland between February and October, with the peak in the spring and summer. Nests are made of sticks, leaves, and roots, and can be found both on the ground and as high as 50 feet (15.2 meters) up in trees. Females lay between two and four eggs in one nesting and incubation can last up to 22 days with both parents sharing incubation responsibility. Between the ages of 9 and 16 days, the young become more mobile; however, the young generally remain in the nest until they are 28 to 35 days old. White ibis prefer coastal marshes and wetlands, feeding in fresh, brackish, and saltwater environments. They range from Baja California and Sinaloa, Mexico, east through south Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, coastal North Carolina, south throughout the Greater Antilles, and South America to Peru, and French Guiana. This species is found throughout most of Florida.
the man in glass looking in, or out head full of music, reflection, distorted what he sees fading with time A man (me) looks out of his kitchen window at night, sharing his reflection with the garden plants with twinkle lights and the neighbor’s blue TV screen
Four Royal Terns are standing on the shore of the beach facing towards the ocean. In Florida, the Royal Tern has a white body, pale gray wings with darker tips, and a crisp white underbelly. They are most easily recognized by their head feathers, which feature a shaggy, jet-black crest (like a "mohawk") and a striking, bright orange-to-reddish bill.
Found this little moth on the side of a moss covered clay flower pot. They are small, with a wingspan typically 15–30 mm (0.6–1.2 inches). Pug moths are small, common moths from the genus Eupithecia (family Geometridae), known for their narrow wings held flat at a 90° angle and often camouflaged patterns of brown, grey, or tan. They are widespread across the Palearctic region, with many species, like the Common Pug (E. vulgata) and Mottled Pug (E. exiguata), found in Europe and North America, feeding on various plants as larvae and adults. Identification can be difficult due to high variability and worn specimens, but features like wing shape and markings on the central cross-band are key.
Found some purple Mexican Petunias growing wild on the bank of the lake. White clouds and light blue skies reflecting on the water.
Luna, a tabby cat, is black and gray striped with some white around her mouth and a pink nose. She is napping in the screened porch on a potting table in the sun. A blue stripped pot is behind her head. Beyond the screen is some red flowering Pentas.
A Zebra Longwing that is black with yellow stripes is resting on the red flowers of a Pintas. There are dark green leaves next to the butterfly and below and behind are blurred light green leaves. Interesting information: The Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia) is a distinctive black butterfly with yellow stripes, known for its slow flight and long lifespan, which is partly due to its unique diet of pollen in addition to nectar. It is the official state butterfly of Florida, where it is common, and its caterpillars feed exclusively on passion vines, which also make the adult butterflies toxic to predators. They exhibit social roosting behavior and have a fascinating mating ritual where males mate with females before they emerge from their chrysalis.
In the foreground sea oats give way to a smooth sandy beach and receding tide with some gentle waves. The gulf water is a blue green color. Deep blue clouds with a slight hint of pink float above the water as the morning wakes.
A Gulf fritillary is resting on the flower of a pink Pintas. Green leaves are blurred in the background. The Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) is a bright orange butterfly with black markings, known for its long, narrow wings and silver spots on the underside, and is often called the "passion butterfly" because its caterpillars feed exclusively on passionflower vines (Passiflora). These butterflies are common in the southern U.S., Mexico, and Central/South America, producing multiple generations a year in warmer climates, and are easily attracted to gardens with nectar-rich flowers.
A Gulf fritillary is resting on the flower of a pink Pintas. Green leaves are blurred in the background. The Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) is a bright orange butterfly with black markings, known for its long, narrow wings and silver spots on the underside, and is often called the "passion butterfly" because its caterpillars feed exclusively on passionflower vines (Passiflora). These butterflies are common in the southern U.S., Mexico, and Central/South America, producing multiple generations a year in warmer climates, and are easily attracted to gardens with nectar-rich flowers.
A male Cardinal is holding on to a branch of an oak tree. Green leaves and stems are all around him. Light and blue sky is filtered through the foliage. Males are striking with their brilliant red feathers, black masks around the face, and thick orange-red beaks.
A Zebra Longwing that is black with yellow stripes is resting on the red flowers of a Pintas. There are dark green leaves next to the butterfly and below and behind are blurred light green leaves. Interesting information: The Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia) is a distinctive black butterfly with yellow stripes, known for its slow flight and long lifespan, which is partly due to its unique diet of pollen in addition to nectar. It is the official state butterfly of Florida, where it is common, and its caterpillars feed exclusively on passion vines, which also make the adult butterflies toxic to predators. They exhibit social roosting behavior and have a fascinating mating ritual where males mate with females before they emerge from their chrysalis.
A full grown Eastern Lubber Grasshopper is standing on the edge of a birdbath. Photo is in black and white, but its color is mainly yellow and red. Lubber grasshoppers typically emerge late spring, starting as small, dark nymphs before gradually growing into the large, colorful adults seen throughout the summer. During this time, they feed on a wide variety of plants, making them common (and often unwelcome) visitors in both natural areas and backyard gardens.
Luna a tabby cat, is black and beige with some white around her mouth, is in the screen porch looking intently at a squirrel. Evening sunlight is splashed across her face . Beyond is the backyard with flowering plants and pine trees that you can’t see very well because of the sun on the screen. The sky is a deep blue.
Some wild flowers (Eastern Daisy Fleabane) line the edge of the lake mixed in with grass. In the background there are two ducks swimming in the lake.
An Eastern Lubber Grasshopper is eating his morning ferns. His main body is green and will eventually turn yellow and red. He has a yellow stripe running from the top of his head all the way down and yellow up around his neck. His legs are burnt orange to a red in color. There are water droplets on his body and on the ferns that are all around him. Lubber grasshoppers typically emergein late spring, starting as small, dark nymphs before gradually growing into the large, colorful adults seen throughout the summer. During this time, they feed on a wide variety of plants, making them common (and often unwelcome) visitors in both natural areas and backyard gardens.
A Ring-Billed Gull, has a white feathered, chest, neck and head with speckled brown feathers. Its head is slightly turned with one eye showing, and you can see the ring around the yellow beak. It’s standing on grass and wildflowers of the bank and the blue lake is behind it.
This Clouded Skipper (Lerema accius) is a common, small, dark brown butterfly which has big round eyes and you can see his antenna going straight up. His legs are attached to pink Pintas blooms. This butterfly is found in the southern U.S. and Central America, known for its rapid, erratic flight and distinctive violet-gray "frosting" on the underside of its wings, especially along the margins. It's a widespread species that uses various grasses as host plants and can be found in grassy fields, open woods, and gardens, often nectaring on a wide variety of flowers, like in my backyard.
Luna a tabby cat is black and beige with some white around her mouth and green eyes is lying on a manhole cover that’s in the backyard. Green Jasmine ground cover is all around her.
An adolescent screech owl that has gray plumage, is perched on an oak tree branch. He is staring intently with big yellow ringed black eyes. There are green oak leaves all around him.
A Monarch Butterfly that is deep orange, with bold black veins, and has white-spotted black borders is resting on a pink Pintas which has dark and light pink blooms. Green leaves are below and behind the flower. Interesting fact: their coloring serves as a warning to predators that they are poisonous due to toxins consumed from milkweed plants they eat. Males have brighter orange, thinner black veins, and two distinct black scent spots (one on each hind wing). Females have darker, more muted orange and thicker black veins.
Fury, a red and white Basenji was enjoying lying in the sun on the brick patio when Luna, a black and beige tabby cat sneaked up and bit Fury’s ear. Maybe a love bite 🤷🏼‍♂️
This Gulf Fritillary Butterfly landed on my hand and crawled to my fingertip. You can see its legs attached to my finger. The wings are closed up to the resting position, and they are brown and white with some orange streaks. Red and white coloration on the neck and part of the body attached to the head and on top of the head, you can see two black antennae sticking up. I believe this is a newly emerged from its chrysalis as it has shiny, iridescent, or metallic appearance which usually happens immediately after emerging from their chrysalis. This shimmer is caused by microscopic, shingle-like scales and specialized nanostructures on the wings that refract and reflect light, often shifting in color as the angle changes.
A black and yellow striped Zebra Longwing butterfly with red basal spots on the underside of its wings, has just newly emerged from its cocoon. It’s hanging upside down with its feet hanging on the cocoon from where it was born. Brown pine needles are showing on either side of it and behind the butterfly is green lattice and green leaves. Interesting fact, butterflies possess contact chemoreceptors on their feet that function as taste sensors. These sensors allow them to "taste" plants to ensure they are suitable for feeding or laying. Tiny receptors on their legs detect nutrients and chemicals instantly upon landing.
A black and yellow striped Zebra Longwing butterfly is resting on the leaf of a Bleeding Heart Vine. Green leaves are visible all around and in the background are blurred purple blooms.