Odds-and-Ends Photos 2023-05-06 (Fairbanks, AK, USA)
Here are a photos from the last few weeks, which didn't make it into other posts.
Butterfly
From looking at www.insectidentification.org, this creature appears to be a Compton Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Nymphalis l-album).
Butterfly exhibit A
Butterfly exhibit B
https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Compton-Tortoiseshell-Butterfly
Spruce Sap
I found a spruce tree with what looked like bear claw marks. Glad that wasn't me!
Dried spruce sap from bear slashes
Pussy Willow Catkins
I saw these last week next to a Jiffy Lube in town.
Pussy Willow catkins exhibit A
Pussy Willow catkins exhibit B
Pussy Willow catkins exhibit C
Balsam Poplar (?) Buds
I believe these belong to a Balsam Poplar tree (a.k.a. Cottonwood)
Buds
Catkins
Some more male and female catkins, in abundance:
Catkins
Spruce Crown
The crown of a small spruce tree:
Spruce crown