Howard Katz

An extended Barred Owl (Central Park, Sept. 19). #birdcpp

Lately my days are spent chasing butterflies but a certain unusually active Barred Owl in Central Park grabbed my attention today. A thrill to witness. Not one butterfly in the bunch! #birdcpp

At NY Botanical Garden (Sept 16): Harvester Butterfly, the only carnivorous butterfly caterpillar in North America. The slug-like caterpillars use sharp, pointed mouthparts to impale woolly aphids and suck out their body fluids. The vampire of the butterfly world! #birdcpp

Butterflies continue to shine here, including this Great Spangled Fritillary at Central Park's Conservatory Garden (Sept 15). #birdcpp

Tiny hummingbird moth with an extra large proboscis & a barred owl attempting to release a pellet (Central Park, Sept 12) #birdcpp

At Central Park’s Conservatory Garden: Common Buckeye (left) and Painted Lady (right). Look closely, you'll see the PL's proboscis (Sept 10). #birdcpp

Red-banded Hairstreaks have been plentiful this season -- this one was at Ft Tryon's Heather Garden (Aug 29) #birdcpp

A slow morning at Ft Tryon's Heather Garden picked up steam in the afternoon, in part highlighted by this Black Swallowtail & bottom right Pipevine Swallowtail (Aug 29). #birdcpp

American Lady at CP's Conservatory Garden (Aug 20) #birdcpp

Red-banded Hairstreak at CP Conservatory Garden (Aug 20). #birdcpp

Silver-spotted skippers are one of the most frequently seen butterflies in Central Park -- this one recently posed for me in Shakespeare Garden. #birdcpp

Pipevine Swallowtail at Fort Tryon Park's Heather Garden (Aug 16). #birdcpp

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly at Fort Tryon Park's Heather Garden (Aug 14). #birdcpp

In honor of Intl Owl Awareness Day on Aug 4 (tomorrow!), a shout-out to Cuba’s two tiny endemic owls. I took this shot of a Cuban Pygmy Owl there last year. Their other endemic is the Bare-legged Owl. Go ahead, reply with one of your favorite owl pics! Flaco, anyone? #birdcpp

Sulphur Butterfly (which one?) at Central Park Shakespeare Garden, Aug 1. #birdcpp

Horace's Duskywing at Central Park's Shakespeare Garden (Aug 1). #birdcpp

Multiple hackberry emperors continue today NE of Central Park's green bench (NE of wildflower meadow). #birdcpp

Madonna might have been featured at today's World Cup halftime show but Central Park's morning preshow was better: Pearl Crescent (left) and Red Admiral (right). #birdcpp

Painted Lady (left) and Clouded Sulphur (right) by Central Park Wildflower Meadow, June 28. #birdcpp

Florida in June? Sure, why not! This burrowing owl & white peacock butterfly were just two of the many highlights (and lifers) enjoyed there this last week.