Central Ohio NatureNeighborhood Migrants
Posted on October 16, 2019
Warm days, now noticeably shorter, are giving way to colder nights with the landscape increasingly graced with the colors of autumn in Ohio.
Autumn reflection in central Ohio.
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During the past couple of weeks we’ve made a concerted effort to look for birds passing through Griggs Reservoir Park on their southern migration. We’ve avoiding the temptation to travel further afield thinking it would be fun just to see what is or isn’t passing through our “neighborhood”. There have been reports of birds that have eluded us, such as the Blackpoll and Yellow-throated Warbler, but all in all the effort has been rewarding.
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The Black-throated Green Warblers were very cooperative:
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Only one Cape May Warbler was seen:
Female Cape May Warbler
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A fair number of Northern Parula Warblers were spotted:
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This Yellow-throated Vireo is not sure he wants to eat a stink bug:
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We had only one sighting of a Black-throated Blue Warbler:
Good enough to ID the bird but that’s it.
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The fairly common Yellow-rumped Warblers are often seen eating poising ivy berries:
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A Nashville Warbler was also part of the mix:
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One Ruby-crowned Kinglet tries it’s best to hide while another jumps right out and poses. To date more kinglets have been heard than seen.
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Contrasting with last year, this has not been a good year for seeing Black-crowned Herons on the reservoir. However, on a resent paddle we were rewarded:
Juvenile, (Donna).
Adult, (Donna).
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While looking for warblers a group of very active Blue Birds was hard to ignore:
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A young male Wood Duck has been hanging around the park for the last couple of weeks. By it’s association with a group of mallards it appears to think it’s one:
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We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge some of the other birds that have fascinated us while we looked for fall migrants.
An immature Red-tailed Hawk seemed curious about what we were up to.
Something has this Juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker’s attention, (Donna).
A Mallard Duck, bathed in autumn light, swims across the reservoir.
A pair of Northern Flickers, (Donna).
A Tufted Titmouse acts cute like titmouse do, (Donna).
A White-breasted Nuthatch goes about it’s day.
One of the many Cedar Waxwings seen in the park in recent weeks.
A female Downy Woodpecker poses for a picture.
A Great Blue Heron strikes a graceful pose along the Scioto River, (Donna).
This Blue Jay has quite a mouthful, (Donna).
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It’s a dark gray rainy morning as I finish writing this so it’s hard to imagine what nature will offer in the coming days and this is the time of year when things tend to wind down. However, if past experience is any indication, it will only take another walk in the woods to again experience the magic. Thanks for stopping by.
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A Journey Through Early Autumn
Posted on October 3, 2019
Perhaps it’s the flowers or the number of sunny blue sky days that have populated the last few weeks, but so far our journey through early autumn, perhaps a bit warmer than one would expect, has been a wonderful celebration of the time of year.
The low autumn light filters through New England Asters.
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Blue Jays, along with migrants from the north adding to the local population, are commonly heard engaged in their noisy banter as we explore local parks.
Blue Jay, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
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By late morning and early afternoon there are always butterflies and dragonflies keeping us company. It has been a banner year in central Ohio for the Common Buckeye. It’s difficult to remember a year when we’ve seen so many. Several years ago it was late September before we saw our first one. At the other extreme we’re not sure we’ve seen even one Morning Cloak this year. Could the same weather patterns or events be responsible for both of these outcomes? One can only wonder. One interesting bit of information we recently uncovered is that, depending on the severity of the weather, Buckeyes can successfully overwinter in Ohio. This could explain this year’s early sightings.
Common Buckeye, Blues Creek Park.
The underside of the wings, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
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With fields of golden rod in bloom there’s no question about the time of year, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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A few days back, while I was fishing, my wife was excited to find a Dainty Sulfur in Griggs Reservoir Park. To make matters worse not only did I miss the butterfly I didn’t catch any fish.
Dainty Sulfur, (Donna). The last time this butterfly was seen in central Ohio in observable numbers was 2012. Griggs Reservoir Park.
Little Yellow butterflies, while not as uncommon, were seen in another area park. We usually observe this butterfly in Florida during the winter.
Little Yellow Butterfly. Blues Creek Park.
Other butterflies were also present:
Eastern Comma, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
Eastern-tailed Blue laying eggs, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
Monarch. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
This Viceroy seen at Blues Creek Park can be easily mistaken for a Monarch but it is slightly smaller, a faster flyer, and has similar but different markings on it’s wings.
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In recent days, no doubt due to the extended warm weather, we’ve noticed more dragonfly activity. The following images are of some of the more noteworthy ones seen. The Wandering Glider is not uncommon but hardly ever lands so it was a real treat to get a picture. This aptly named carnivorous insect is the widest ranging dragonfly and can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
Wandering Glider, Griggs Reservoir Park.
A Illinois River Cruiser perches not far from the river in Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. We believe this is a first sighting for us.
This beautiful Blue-faced Meadowhawk was also a new dragonfly for us. This one was seen not far from a wetland in Blues Creek Park.
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Prairie Dock is a member of the aster family and can grow up to eight feet tall, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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The small furry creatures all seemed busy, usually with a nut in their mouth, and were hard not to notice.
Fox Squirrel. Griggs Reservoir Park.
Chipmunk with a real mouthful, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
Curious chipmunk, (Donna). Griggs Reservoir Park.
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The autumn nights, now longer than the days, usher us too quickly through the season. In keeping with this journey the next post will be about fall warblers as they make their way through central Ohio. Thanks for stopping by.
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A hover fly investigates a thistle flower. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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It’s Spring!
Posted on April 18, 2019
While working on a blog post pertaining to time spent in Florida earlier this year I was interrupted. However, unlike many interruptions this one was good. Spring wasn’t just knocking, it was banging on the door, calling us to come out and play. In just the last few days nature has exploded in central Ohio making it hard for my wife and I to contain our enthusiasm. Hopefully this post will convey just a little bit of the excitement.
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One of the first clues that things were changing more rapidly were the wildflowers.
Redbuds.
Virginia Bluebells, (Donna).
Another look.
White Trout Lily
Dutchman’s Breeches.
Yellow Trout Lilies, (Donna).
A closer look. (Donna).
Emerging Buckeye leaves, not a flower but beautiful in their own way.
Spring Beauties, (Donna).
Newly emerged spring fungi, Dryad’s Saddle, (Donna).
Translucent green.
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Then there were the birds, all of which seemed very busy.
From it’s nesting cavity a Red-bellied Woodpecker checks us out.
A Canada Goose on it’s nest at water’s edge. Hopefully there will be no heavy rains in the near future.
An argumentative pair of Blue Jays announce their presence. Could they be discussing nest location?
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Some behavior seemed odd.
This Canada Goose was trying a different menu item. Something we’ve never seen before.
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Other birds were just enjoying the warmer weather.
A Tufted-titmouse makes itself know with a voice much bigger than the bird.
A common but hard to photograph Carolina Chickadee is nice enough to pose.
Sunlight warms a male Mallard in breeding plumage.
Redbuds surround a female Cardinal.
A Great Blue Heron soars overhead along the Scioto River, (Donna).
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The Great Egrets in their breeding plumage continued to enchant us.
Preening.
Another look.
Striking a beautiful pose.
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But the days real excitement was generated when we spotted a newly arrived spring migrant.
This curious Yellow-throated Warbler flew down to see what I was up to.
Too cute for just one pic.
And perhaps one more.
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As if the wildflowers and birds weren’t enough, more turtles than we’ve ever seen on one log decided to get into the act.
Turtles along the Scioto River, How many do you see?
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We hope our enthusiasm rubs off on our readers and everyone gets out to witness springs transformation in their neighborhood.
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Walking in the freshness of an early spring morning
along a path lined with trees just clothed in translucent green
with the sights, sounds, and smells of nature
I am reborn.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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Spring Wildflowers Along The Darby
Posted on April 29, 2018
Even for Ohio it’s been an unusually fitful spring, with a warm sunny day followed by one that is cool cloudy and blustery with maybe a little rain or light snow thrown in for good measure. On a recent sunny day we decided to check out the wildflowers along a “new to us” trail that is accessed off Gardner Rd. in Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. We were not disappointed as we walked through a wonderful arboretum of nature’s spring.
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Phlox, Big Darby Creek Metro Park.
The subtle beauty of Large Flowered Bellwort. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Toadshade Trillium as a buttercup competes for our interest, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
A Spring Beauty gets pollenated, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Jacobs Ladder, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Flowering tree, (Donna).
Large-flower Trillium, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Large-flowered Bellwort, Big Darby Creek Metro Park.
White Trout Lilies, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
A beautiful example of a Toadshade Trillium, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
A shaft of light illuminates the beauty of a White Trout Lily, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
A Spring Azure visits flowering Phlox, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Flowering cherry, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Very blue Spring Beauties, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Virginia Bluebells were very common, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Hispid Buttercup, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Purple Cress, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Large Flowered Trillium, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
With an open forest canopy this trout lily celebrates the warm spring sun, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
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Even with wildflowers to enchant it’s difficult not to notice other things.
In the midst of their nest building activities Blue Jays are hard to ignore, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
A Chipping Sparrow with it’s beautiful rufus crown catches our eye, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Feathers sparkling in the sun a Starling investigates a nesting cavity, Griggs Reservoir Park.
This time of year along roadside ditches, rivers, and lakes Red-winged Blackbirds are everywhere, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Less noticeable than their male counterpart the female Red-winged Blackbirds have arrived in central Ohio, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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They seemed to be getting along just fine . . .
Tree Swallows, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
and then . . .
Just what they were communicating remains a mystery, (Donna).
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The Yellow-rumped warblers continue to be a common site at Griggs Reservoir Park.
Female Yellow-rumped Warbler, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Kingbird, our first sighting of the year at Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
A Palm Warbler along the shore of Griggs Reservoir.
Another look.
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For nature lovers in central Ohio that have never visited Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, do so, this quietist of the Columbus metro area metro parks is one of our favorites. In just a few days we’ve seen a noticeable increase in the green of the forest canopy so the days of spring wildflowers are fleeting. In the last few days there have been reports of an increase of warbler migrants moving though the area so in the near term we will not run out of things to enchant.
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Thanks for stopped by.
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Emergent Buckeye leaves.
Cause and Effect
Posted on October 16, 2017
Recently, after several weeks of very dry weather, the rain came. One day it amounted to almost three inches. Once clear and lazy, area rivers are now swollen and turbid and flow with more purpose as though their water has somewhere to go. The precipitation came too late to have a major effect on the season’s color but the orange, yellow, and brown of oaks and hickories is now more saturated. The moist earth returns it’s recent gift to the humid early morning air, as suspended leaves, some no longer green, appear to almost come back to life.
Griggs Reservoir
The crotch of a tree provides a resting place, Emily Traphagen Park.
Stump, Emily Traphagen Park.
Fallen tree, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Two days ago during a walk in an area park a bench provided a place to eat lunch. In the stillness we watched an occasional leaf from some unknown high branch in a nearby tree, like a large early winter snowflake, silently float down and land quietly at our feet. A few descended without a flourish, but most either spiraled, spun, or sashayed side to side on the last and only journey of their lives. They joined those already fallen to complete the cycle of life. One here, another there, slowly, as we sat watching, they never stopped. Today, as I write this, with wind howling past a partially open window, the scene would be much different.
Moss covered roots grace a hillside, Battelle Darby creek Metro Park.
Fall color, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Rotting log, Emily Traphagen Park.
Leaves of the Shagbark Hickory, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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It’s hard not to think of them as friends, the group of birds; robins, nuthatches, blue jays, etc., that are such an important part of our walks in nature near home.
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Pigeons, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Male Downy Woodpecker, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
White-breasted Nuthatch, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Carolina Wren, Emily Traphagen Park, (Donna).
Belted Kingfisher, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Eastern Phoebe, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Blue Jay, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Mallard reflection, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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Autumn color, Kiwanis Riverway Park.
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Others birds, such as the Bald Eagle, are only seen on occasion but that occasion is a miracle. When I was young, in the days of DDT, a trip to Alaska may have been necessary to see one. Now they can be seen just a mile and a half from our house. Ospreys are seen more frequently, but soon they will embark on their journey south following the already departed community of Black-crowned Night Herons that through early fall call Griggs Reservoir home. With each osprey sighting we wonder if it will be the last until next year.
A Bald Eagle is framed by fall color on the west side of Griggs Reservoir.
Osprey along the Scioto River, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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A pond forms the backdrop for shoreline grass, Emily Traphagen Park
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The true magic of the rain, after such a long period of dry weather, is the fungi. Many just seem to appear out of nowhere while others, having endured the dryness, regain their color. Identifying what is seen can be a challenge.
Puffballs, Emily Traphagen Park.
Non-inky Coprinus, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Turkey Tail, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Some type of polypore, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
Artist’s Bracket, Emily Traphagen Park, (Donna).
Crust fungi, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park,, (Donna).
Common Spilt Gill, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
A jelly fungus on the left and Witches’ Butter, Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Wood Ear, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
An emergent polypore, Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Angel’s Wings, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Wolf’s Milk Slime, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Emerging Dryad’s Saddle, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
A very rare sight near our home, Crown-tipped Coral, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Moss on what appears to be False Turkey-tail causes one to wonder just how long it’s been there. Emily Traphagen Park, (Donna).
Luminescent Panellus, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, (Donna).
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Early morning fog, also the result of the recent rain, greeted us during a walk at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park creating splendor in a spider’s web.
Banded Garden Spider, Battelle Darby Metro Park.
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Still standing, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Later, as we continued our walk, we noticed a few moths that apparently had gathered on the light gray wood siding of a park building during the night.
Large Maple Span Worm Moth, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Dot-lined White Moth, Battelle Darby Metro Park.
White-marked Tussock Moth, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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As we continued on a number of Eastern Commas where seen, usually right on the trail.
Eastern Comma, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Along the trail, Battelle Darby creek Metro Park.
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When the rain came, after such a long period of dryness, I stepped out onto our porch, took a deep breath, watched, and listened. The rain fell softly at first, with the sound of a mouse playing as it touched the dry places. After a while, standing there, the rain leaving fleeting patterns in driveway puddles, it’s fragrance in the wet grass, soil, and filling the air, I was taken to a different place and embraced by a feeling of newness and rebirth.
Glacial Erratic, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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XXX
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Should you wish prints from various posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. If you don’t find it on the link drop us a line.
An Almost Perfect Disguise!
Posted on August 30, 2017
Caterpillars can be hard to believe. In recent weeks my wife’s “eagle eye” has spotted one that certainly seems to confirm this. Along with interesting caterpillars there have been other August insects and wildflowers to fascinate. Each season offers up it’s own treasures.
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As an aside, my old Canon manual focus glass has found new life mounted on a Sony A7 body so I’ve enjoyed trying to capture a “sense of place” with the old lenses as we explore some of our local haunts.
Griggs Reservoir, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
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During a recent walk we entered the world of caterpillars when my wife noticed this interesting specimen.
The Black Swallowtail caterpillar shows off it’s horns while the picture gets photo bombed by a pair of very small mating moths. The horns are usually not evident but a slight tap on the it’s head brings them out, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
The Black Swallowtail butterfly:
Male Black Swallowtail, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Female Black Swallowtail, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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On another day as we walked along Griggs Reservoir, three almost identical “bird droppings” were spotted. Very suspicious!
Our suspicion was validated as we identified them as Giant Swallowtail caterpillars. (Donna).
A closer look, (Donna).
The Giant Swallowtail butterfly:
Giant Swallowtail, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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The Monarch Butterfly caterpillars had a though act to follow after the “bird droppings”. However, this year it’s been exciting to see so many as well as the resultant butterflies. You know it’s a good year when you often hear, or say to your hiking companion, “There’s another Monarch!” Last year we saw very few.
Monarch Butterfly caterpillar, Griggs Reservoir Park.
The Monarch butterfly:
Monarch Butterfly, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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The Big Darby has been running low but clear. A sign of late summer in Ohio.
The Big Darby, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
For Ohio the water was very clear in the Big Darby but it’s shallow depth and silt covered bottom didn’t show it off, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
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During a lunch break along Alum Creek Reservoir last week, a number of wasps were more than happy to provide free entertainment!
Katydid Wasp, (Sphex nudus) with a stunned katydid nymph, Alum Creek State Park, (Donna).
The Katydid Wasp proceeds to drag it’s pray into a pre dug hole to serve as a food source for it’s larvae when they hatch, (Donna).
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Two days ago, as we made our way along one of our area metro park’s excellent trails, I mentioned to my wife that there appeared to be two humming birds around some thistle half way across the meadow. Before I realized what had happened she disappeared. The only way I could reel her in was with the zoom on my camera!
Going after the humming birds, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Success, (Donna).
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Along with caterpillars and butterflies there have been other interesting late August insects as well.
Mating Thread-waisted Wasps, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Cuckoo Leafcutter Bee with it’s fascinating blue eyes, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
When does a moth not look like a moth? When it’s an Ailanthus Webworm Moth! Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
A grasshopper hugs a coneflower, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Tachinid Fly, (Epalpus signifier), Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
The Common Spreadwing is the largest of the damselflies, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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A quiet fishing spot along Griggs Reservoir.
Griggs Reservoir.
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Fungi hasn’t been that noticeable due to the lack of rain but recently two examples begged to be photographed.
Northern Tooth fungi, Griggs Reservoir Park.
A rather large polypore, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
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Wildflowers.
Cup Plant, Griggs Reservoir Park, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
Virginia Knot Weed, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Gracing the shore of Griggs Reservoir, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
Tall Bellflower, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Wingstem, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Great Blue Lobelia, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Coneflower Prairie, Battelle Darby Greek Metro Park.
Ironweed, Griggs Reservoir Park.
False Dragonhead, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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A fascinating plant, Ground Cherry, discovered during a recent walk.
Ground Cherry, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
The flower, (Donna).
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As we look for butterflies, or are engaged in other pursuits, it’s hard not to notice the other things.
In relation to it’s size the very small Cricket Frog probably jumps the furthest of any of it’s species! Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
An immature Indigo Bunting eludes a good photo at the very top of a tree, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
An over exuberant Blue Jay enjoys the water, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Black-crowned Night Heron photographed recently while fishing on Griggs Reservoir. Probably the closest I’ve ever gotten to one.
A “too cute” Red Squirrel along the shore of Griggs Reservoir. Exciting because we rarely see them in this area.
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In late August the sound of insects dominate the woods.
As if in protest, a Carolina Wrens does it’s best to break the silence of it’s kind.
In the now often cooler mornings, heavy with dew, spider webs are everywhere.
Walking, those suspended across the trail brush against one’s face.
By noon, as if to deny that summer is slowly coming to an end, butterflies and dragonflies take flight.
Bees, seemingly busier than ever, are everywhere on late summer wildflowers.
Leaves on some trees have already starting to change.
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Looking for birds, Griggs Reservoir Park, Sony A7 Canon FD 28mm.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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XXX
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Should you wish prints from various posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. If you don’t find it on the link drop us a line.
While I Was Fishing
Posted on August 1, 2017
My wife had to carry most of the load in central Ohio over the past week or so while I was on my annual Michigan fishing trip. Based on the following pictures, many of which are hers, she had no trouble discovering things of interest.
Nature walk, Griggs Reservoir Park.
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First there were the birds, a few of which when captured in unusual or even comical poses. Some just a little different than the usual “mug” shot.
Immature Robin, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Just fledged Catbird, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Mealtime.
Great Blue Heron, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Goldfinch, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Immature Red-bellied Woodpecker, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Immature Blue Jay, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Preening Eastern Phoebe, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Northern Flicker, Griggs Reservoir Park.
A juvenile Cedar Waxwing stretches it’s neck, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird visits Donna as she looks for caterpillars, Griggs Reservoir Park.
A Cardinal is caught spying on a young Northern Flicker, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Green Heron showing it’s crest, Griggs Reservoir
Juvenile Green Heron, Griggs Reservoir.
Take 2.
To cute to pass up, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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Sometimes a bird picture was obtained as my wife happened to look up as she studyed an interesting “bug” and there were apparently no shortage of those.
Eupatorium Borer Moth , Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Milkweed Tussock Moth Catapillar, Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Wasp, Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Monarch Butterfly caterpillar, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Monarch, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Another view.
Orchard orbweaver, Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Donna spotted this Robber Fly in Griggs Reservoir Park. Robber flies prey on other flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, various bees, ants, dragon and damselflies, ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, some spiders and even other robber flies. They do so apparently irrespective of any offensive chemicals the prey may have at its disposal. Many robber flies when attacked in turn do not hesitate to defend themselves with their proboscides and may deliver intensely painful bites if handled carelessly, (Ref: WIKI), Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Sand Wasp, Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Sycamore Tussock Moth caterpillar , Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).
Robber fly, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
Hover fly, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Green Bee, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Orange Sulphur, Griggs Reservoir Park.
My wife spotted these 2-marked Treehoppers in Griggs Reservoir Park, “Treehoppers tap into the stems of woody and herbaceous plants with their beaks and feed on the sap. Treehopper species are often closely associated with a single food source. Some species gather in groups as adults or nymphs. They slit the bark of their host plant to deposit eggs within, covering the eggs with a secretion called “egg froth” that provides protection from desiccation in winter, may shield the eggs from predators, and that contains an attractant pheromone that brings other ovipositing females to the spot (where, like cows, they may line up, all facing the same direction). The eggs hatch in spring when they are re-hydrated by the rising sap of the host plant as its buds open and its shoots start to grow”. Ref: Bug Lady, Riveredge Nature Center.
Mating Clouded Sulfurs, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).
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Summer flowers grace areas along the reservoir.
On a cloudy morning Evening Primrose overlooks Griggs Reservoir
Coneflowers keep Cardinal Flowers company in one of the park rain gardens.
Tall Blue Lettuce, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Swamp Rose Mallow.
Wingstem, Griggs Reservoir Park.
Sunflowers rule this time of year.
Common Sneezeweed.
Boneset, Griggs Reservoir.
Square Stem Monkey Flower, Griggs Reservoir.
Sunflowers draw one’s gaze to the reservoir beyond.
Queen Ann’s Lace frames Griggs Reservoir.
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Finally a few pics from my fishing trip to the Rifle River Recreation Area. It always feels like a homecoming when I head north bringing back many fond childhood summer vacation memories. I always think I’ll take more pictures on this trip but it’s hard to wear two hats so I mostly just allow myself to be there and fish.
Common Loons are a real treat on Devoe Lake in the Rifle River Rec Area. Seemingly unconcerned they swim close to my canoe.
Taking a break.
One of a number of nice bass caught and released.
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Each trip into nature marks the passing of time. Summer moves along, things seen are ever changing, birds fledge and mature under parent’s attentive care, caterpillars and butterflies continue their amazing dance of life, wildflowers and bees are ever present companions, by late July the days have grown noticeably shorter.
Griggs reservoir Park.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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