Bones to Butterfly to Killdeer

While in the drainage area at Green Cay I found a White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae). Originally, I went to the ditch area to retrieve the skull and bones from yesterday's post but they were missing. In its place was the distinctive butterfly of the tropical brushfoot membership. I tried to take a picture but it fluttered off. In chase, a Killdeer gave me a warning call. She gave me quite a scare but when I looked closer I noticed that she was protecting her nest. After another stare she scampered off to show me her broken wing display and I walked over for a very quick picture. I followed her momentarily to prove that I wasn't interested in her babies and left her to circle back to her nest.

This is the third Killdeer nest this season at Green Cay on record. The two nests on the Cypress Island were predated. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this Killdeer fairs better. The whole time I was poking around looking for the missing bones and while I was trying to capture the butterfly on my camera the Killdeer sat undisturbed. She let me within 4 feet before making a sound. If I had been any closer I would have stepped her. My lesson in this, watch where I'm walking, no matter what part of the property I'm on.