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