Central Ohio NatureLate Summer Magic; Insects and Fall Warblers
Late August isn’t usually when I think of seeing fall warblers in central Ohio. Although I’m sure that’s the result of a certain level of ignorance on my part. So not really expecting the warblers this early, most of our efforts in recent days have been spent looking for, and enjoying, the “bugs” that currently seem to be in their prime. What started as a way to say curious during the summer doldrums has now become a real goal of our explorations.
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Whether a spider, butterfly, moth, bee, or dragonfly their unique beauty and behavior, so unlike our own, takes us into a truly different world. Fascinating as they are I wouldn’t want to return “in the next life” as an insect. The dragonfly is too efficient and maneuverable a flying machine bringing a quick end to anything flying nearby that it considers a meal. The life cycle of many wasps requires that caterpillars become live hosts for their larva. A convenient meal for the future wasps but undoubtedly not a pleasant experience for the caterpillar. A garden spider quickly dispatches and gift wraps a careless fly in silk for later consumption. And just when you think your the biggest, baddest, “bug” around, a bird comes along. I could go on but it is sufficient to say, it’s not for me.
Praying Mantis in our backyard garden. They’ve been observed catching unsuspecting humming birds that get a little too close.
A closer look, this is one insect that has no trouble holding on to it’s meal!
Iron weed and a Clouded Sulfur, flowers upon flowers, north end of Griggs Reservoir.
Wasps making baby wasps, Prairie Oaks Metro Parks.
Pelecinid Wasp, Prairie Oaks Metro Park
Monarch, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Question Mark, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Spotted Orbweaver, Griggs Park
Triangle-bearing Orbweaver (very small), Griggs Park
Very small Mayfly close to the water, Griggs Park
Funnel Weaver Grass Spider, (Donna)
Bumble bee, (Donna).
Overhead view of a Katydid, (Donna)
Walnut Caterpillar, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna)
Marbled Orbweaver, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna)
Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna)
Unidentified fly, Griggs Park, (Donna)
Mayfly, Griggs Park, (Donna)
Grasshopper, Griggs Park, (Donna)
Spotted Orb Weaver (underside), Griggs Park, (Donna)
Variegated Fritillary, Griggs Park, (Donna)
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It’s not as if there haven’t been birds around. Sometimes, in our quest for insects, we get so engaged in looking down we forget to look up! The Osprey was discovered as we were looking for warblers and provided many great poses as he devoured a fish just two of which are shown below.
Osprey with fish, Kiwanis Riverway Park.
Take two.
Northern Flicker, finally managed to get an image which shows off most of it’s distinctive markings, Kiwanis Riverway Park
Great Crested Flycatcher, Kiwanis Riverway Park.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers, adult and immature, Griggs Park
Great Blue Heron and nest, north end of Griggs Reservoir. This is special because it’s the first nest I’ve noticed at that area in some time.
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. . . and then there were the warblers, always more seen than successfully photographed.
Black and White, Griggs Park
Yellow-throated, Griggs Park.
American Redstart, 1st year, Griggs Park.
From a different angle, (Donna)
Cape May, Griggs Park, (Donna)
Immature Red-eyed Vireo, Griggs Park
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When in nature take a moment to enjoy the whole, allowing yourself just to be.
Kiwanis Riverway Park.
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With the fall migration just getting started we’re looking forward to what will be seen in the coming weeks.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Wonderful insect shots.
Nice shots. It seems odd to see a blue heron nest in a tree with leaves on it. Here they always seem to build nests in dead trees.