Melanie Long
@mellielong.bsky.social
Tampa, Florida. Traveler, nature lover, cozy gamer, bookworm. UPENN alum (Wharton '01). Living with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia since 2010. Trying to do a little better every day.
Orange Barred Sulphur caterpillar.
December 14, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Orange Barred Sulphur caterpillar.
Zebra Longwing eggs and a caterpillar.
December 14, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Zebra Longwing eggs and a caterpillar.
I think the New York Times Spelling Bee is making a cry for help.
December 6, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I think the New York Times Spelling Bee is making a cry for help.
Seeing my favorite band, Minus the Bear in Orlando. Seeing them again tomorrow in Atlanta. I missed their final tour in 2018 because I was in the hospital with sepsis, so this is redemption. #minusthebear
October 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Seeing my favorite band, Minus the Bear in Orlando. Seeing them again tomorrow in Atlanta. I missed their final tour in 2018 because I was in the hospital with sepsis, so this is redemption. #minusthebear
Found a huge Orange Barred Sulphur caterpillar while picking food for his siblings. He should pupate at any time.
October 16, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Found a huge Orange Barred Sulphur caterpillar while picking food for his siblings. He should pupate at any time.
Found some new friends today. These are Orange Barred Sulphur caterpillars on Senna ligustrina. This time of year, they eat flower buds which makes them more yellow so they blend in better.
October 14, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Found some new friends today. These are Orange Barred Sulphur caterpillars on Senna ligustrina. This time of year, they eat flower buds which makes them more yellow so they blend in better.
I was sitting in my car and the hummingbird decided to stop in for a snack. It's on Necklace Pod, a native plant that's a great nectar source. It can also take the full Florida sun on the south side of the house!
October 14, 2025 at 12:53 AM
I was sitting in my car and the hummingbird decided to stop in for a snack. It's on Necklace Pod, a native plant that's a great nectar source. It can also take the full Florida sun on the south side of the house!
My favorite gopher tortoise was out front of where I volunteer this morning. Love these animals.
October 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
My favorite gopher tortoise was out front of where I volunteer this morning. Love these animals.
The Red-shouldered hawk was on the neighbor's fence. It's been very vocal lately. Maybe chasing off the migrating birds?
October 4, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The Red-shouldered hawk was on the neighbor's fence. It's been very vocal lately. Maybe chasing off the migrating birds?
The big mama gopher tortoise was out front of the office where I volunteer. She's sitting on top of her burrow.
September 11, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The big mama gopher tortoise was out front of the office where I volunteer. She's sitting on top of her burrow.
Cozy game birthday present from the parents. I played the original version on the DS, and I'm excited to play it on the Switch. Also, it came with a sheep plushie. 🐑🥰
August 31, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Cozy game birthday present from the parents. I played the original version on the DS, and I'm excited to play it on the Switch. Also, it came with a sheep plushie. 🐑🥰
I'm in summer hibernation mode, but Dad still has to mow the lawn. He sent me a picture of this Banded Sphinx Moth from outside.
August 29, 2025 at 11:16 PM
I'm in summer hibernation mode, but Dad still has to mow the lawn. He sent me a picture of this Banded Sphinx Moth from outside.
The gopher tortoise was happily munching this week when I went to volunteer. Totally ignored me. I once watched a gopher tortoise pick out Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) to eat. Must be tasty.
August 29, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The gopher tortoise was happily munching this week when I went to volunteer. Totally ignored me. I once watched a gopher tortoise pick out Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) to eat. Must be tasty.
Found a Cloudless Sulphur caterpillar on the Partridge Pea today. They have great texture.
August 19, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Found a Cloudless Sulphur caterpillar on the Partridge Pea today. They have great texture.
The gopher tortoise where I volunteer had five babies earlier in the year. This one has a burrow near the front (and near mom's burrow). The little guy came out to eat the fruits from a palm tree. So cute!
August 16, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The gopher tortoise where I volunteer had five babies earlier in the year. This one has a burrow near the front (and near mom's burrow). The little guy came out to eat the fruits from a palm tree. So cute!
Dad saw a Rustic Sphinx Moth the other day and took a picture for me. I'd check my host plants, but it's so hot outside.
August 10, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Dad saw a Rustic Sphinx Moth the other day and took a picture for me. I'd check my host plants, but it's so hot outside.
Not my best picture of the hummingbird, but I only had my phone on me. It loves the Jatropha and Necklace Pod combo I planted in front of the house.
July 31, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Not my best picture of the hummingbird, but I only had my phone on me. It loves the Jatropha and Necklace Pod combo I planted in front of the house.
Orange Barred Sulphur laying eggs on my Senna ligustrina.
July 27, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Orange Barred Sulphur laying eggs on my Senna ligustrina.
Gray Hairstreak enjoying the Jatropha today. Jatropha isn't native, but it attracts so many pollinators that I keep it around. The yellow bloom behind it is the native Necklace Pod. The combination brings all the pollinators - and hummingbirds - to my yard.
July 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Gray Hairstreak enjoying the Jatropha today. Jatropha isn't native, but it attracts so many pollinators that I keep it around. The yellow bloom behind it is the native Necklace Pod. The combination brings all the pollinators - and hummingbirds - to my yard.
Visited the gopher tortoise while volunteering today.
July 19, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Visited the gopher tortoise while volunteering today.
Like this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, you may be missing some pieces, but you can still fly!
July 15, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Like this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, you may be missing some pieces, but you can still fly!
Raising Long-tailed Skipper caterpillars again. On Desmodium spp.
July 10, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Raising Long-tailed Skipper caterpillars again. On Desmodium spp.
Released a Pluto Sphinx Moth yesterday.
July 8, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Released a Pluto Sphinx Moth yesterday.
This gopher tortoise lives in front of the group foster home where I volunteer to read with the kids. She had five babies last year! I saw one of them a few weeks ago so they're still around. The cone is marking her burrow.
June 27, 2025 at 3:29 AM
This gopher tortoise lives in front of the group foster home where I volunteer to read with the kids. She had five babies last year! I saw one of them a few weeks ago so they're still around. The cone is marking her burrow.
