I have always been interested in bugs and snakes and turtles since I was very young. My brother's and I would even make our own butterfly nets and hunt for hours for that elusive new species. We also collected caterpillars and put them in shoeboxes and waited somewhat patiently for beautiful butterflies to emerge. I remember one box load of 70 Mourning Cloaks. I went to junior college and then Humboldt State to pursue a wildlife management degree. Never happened. I began taking pictures of birds seriously about 4 years ago. I have always taken pictures of insects, mammals, flowers, etc, wherever we traveled. I have uploaded some pictures to ebird but find the iNaturalist community a better fit. Thanks to everyone who have confirmed most of my observations and suggested the proper identities for the rest.