Summer is Complete

Well my summer is complete with the photos of one special insect.

The Praying Mantis

Chinese Mantid ( Tenodera aridifolia sinesnsis)

The only ones common in the North are 2 introduced species: the European mantid, Mantis religiosa Linn. (pale green, about 2 inches), and the Chinese Mantid (3-4 Inches) The latter is rather widely distributed and the former is largely restricted to the eastern states. In the West, Litaneutria minor occurs all the way to British Columbia. 

I have been searching for one to photograph for many years and when I do find one I don't have my camera with me. Today I was in luck, but as I started to shoot I realized my battery was low and almost dead. I looked in my bag and my back up was no where to be found. So I shot as many images as I could before my battery went dead. If I would have had my back-up battery (it was on my desk) I would have stayed and followed it around the meadow as it searched for prey. 

Birds or No Birds

I was hoping to get some images of Cedar Waxwings feeding today, but it never happened.

People showed up to fish and scared them away....so I ended up photographing other subjects. Like this beautiful dragonfly.

Halloween Pennant - Celithemis eponina - Male

I also found this Black Spruce seedling growing out of a stump.

I am planing on going back as soon as the weekend is over and trying to photograph the waxwings again.

The Hills

After my visit with the doctor today I headed up to the hills. I hiked many miles and ate many berries.

Up and down the hills I hiked...stopping to eat blackberries of course. Been searching out locations for fall color and found some great places. Still a few months away, but you can see the change beginning. The last of the summer wildflowers are starting to fade.

I parked along this road

Deep in a valley

Back Roads

This afternoon I drove North into the hills...

It was very humid walking around the meadows and forests, but worth it. There is going to be a load of blackberries this year. I had a great snack as I walked along.

Many butterflies and other insects filled the meadows. Wildflowers everywhere and staghorn and smooth sumac. 

 I seen many monarchs flying around this afternoon.

I really enjoyed exploring the new found meadows and the back roads today.

 Forest Opening/Small Meadow

Country Road

Green frog...

This green frog proved to be a challenge to get a shot of.

Yesterday I went to explore a new place that I have not been to in years. I found this cool water hole in a swamp that was loaded with mosquito's. I thought I had plenty of bug spray on, but they still tried to bite. Anyways I moved in slowly so I would not scare the frog away. It was muddy and it really smelled the closer I got. I lowered my tripod to ground level and started to shoot. I was able to get about 20 images when I made a wrong move and ended up in the water. Camera gear was fine, but my leg and boot were soaked in mud and other stuff. I guess it was to much for the frog and it dove under the water only to come up further in the middle. I was not going to wade in this mucky water. It was leech heaven....so I just headed on down the trail. The deer flies were even worse than the mosquito's. At least I came home with some nice images.

Bunchberries...

Just Plain Awesome!

This is just plain awesome!

There is a pair of Twelve Spotted Skimmers that have been hanging around my garden and ponds. I knew I could get some shots of them using my 300mm. I have taken many over the last few days, but today this Male was kind enough to let me get close enough to use my macro lens. As I worked my way close I became very frustrated with the gnats buzzing my head. As I sat down he flew up and grabbed one right next to my ear. He then flew right back and landed on the perch he was using. I was now less than a foot away and began shooting. I moved in slowly and carefully and was at the end of the focusing range..only inches away. Suddenly he flew up and grabbed another one and landed on my head. I froze and he flew off back to his perch. It was than I noticed something on his leg. When I uploaded the images...I discovered it was a strand of my hair. I guess I'm loosing my hair in my old age....LOL. Anyways, he stayed there for about 20 minutes flying back and forth grabbing gnats from around my head. He landed on my arm once, but not for very long.

So it has been a very good afternoon. 

 Notice the strand of hair

What does it mean?

What does photography mean to me?

I have given this some thought and it hit me today...

What it means to me is that I can share with others what I see through my eyes and lens. I don't care if it is perfect, because we live in a not so perfect world. Just sharing with others, images of the beauty that surrounds us is why I enjoy photography. So many things that we pass by everyday that holds some sort of beauty. I'm not out to try to impress people with my photos, but to share how I feel and what I see. Everyone sees different and has different thoughts about photography. It becomes so confusing sometimes...just in the last couple of days I realized that I am trying to hard to  "Make" an image that I have lost the real reason I am doing this. After uploading the images and looking at them I noticed a big change. So I'm going to pursue this new discovery and see how it goes. I'm not perfect and my photography is not perfect, but at least I am enjoying something that means so much to me.

Still Humid

I made it to the meadows for about and hour today. I went just to see if I cold get a few shots of this hairstreak I have been after. I seen three, but was unable to get any photos. I did however get a shot of this...

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

(Immature Male)

I'm planning on going back in the morning...should be a cooler day.

Way to Humid...

I was out to the meadow for only a very short time this morning. It was just way to humid and with the sun beating down made for a not so fun time. Harsh lighting also, so I gave up and went home. I did however get a few shots of this beautiful Square-stemmed Monkey-flower. This is the first time I have ever seen this species and it is really cool looking. I'm going to try to get back out there maybe tomorrow afternoon...if it is not so hot. The wild bergamot is starting to bloom and by the looks of it will cover the meadow.

Mud Puddle

Yesterday afternoon I explored a new area. Not far from the meadow is a recent clear cut. Most of the trees have started growing again and it is really thick. As I was following the old logging road I found three green frogs sitting in a mud puddle. At first I tried to get close using my macro lens, but they would not allow me to get close. So I used my 300mm with an extension tube. I laid down in the mud and started shooting. The light was harsh, but the puddle was shaded by the trees. I still had some harsh lighting to deal with so I moved around till I got the best lighting I could. The mosquito's were very thick, but with bug spray on they seemed to leave me alone. The frog was the target of some of the mosquito's. I spent one hour watching and photographing these three frogs. It was enjoyable watching them, but afterwards I looked a mess. My white shirt was covered in mud and I smelled even worse. I guess this just adds to the enjoyment of photography.

Long Hot Day!

Let's see...where to begin?

This morning I went to explore a new place and it was great. Two frog species...many dragonflies and wildflowers. It also was hot and very humid. The ride home really tired me out, but at least I am loosing weight and it feels good. I have so many images to edit that it will take me weeks to sort through them. I have the moth sheet up and lights on...so I don't see much editing getting done tonight. Here are a few dragonfly photos I shot last evening.

 Eastern pond Hawk Male

 Eastern Pond Hawk Female

 Dusky-clubtail Female

Dot-tailed White Faced Female

Wonderful day!

I was bale to go to the meadows twice today. Once this morning and than late this afternoon. Both times were rewarding. Many dragonflies, only spotted a few butterflies. Lots of wildflowers blooming and soon the meadow will be covered in summer flowers. Both time sit was very hot, but it was worth enduring the heat. Drank plenty of water and used lots of bug spray.

Twelve-spotted Skimmer - Libellula pulchella - Male

Banded Hairstreak

Wet and Damp Day!

Most of the day it rained and between rain showers and the storms the sun came out. I was able to get out and take some photos of the insects and other subjects around my garden. Had three red-spotted purples visit the mock orange bush today and one hummingbird moth. Many bees and other insects stopped by also.

Last Day of Spring 2011

Well Summer starts tomorrow and I'm ready for it.

Today I stayed around the house and did some gardening and spent a few hours around the yard taking photos. The Mock Orange Bush is in full bloom now and the bees and other insects are working it like crazy. It is buzzing with life and the smell form the flowers is so awesome. In the evening it blows in the window...such a sweet smell. Another one of my favorite butterflies stopped by to enjoy the sweet nectar. 

The Red-spotted Purple

Also the Mossy Stonecrop is now in bloom and I plan on moving some of it to my rock garden. It adds a great color to the garden. It don't get tall, but sure is bright yellow.

The Bird'sfoot Trefoil is starting to bloom and it is another yellow flower that adds some beauty to the yard.

Birthday Images

Well I turned one year older today...no big deal. I don't feel any different.

Anyways I went out to the meadow for a short time today and took a few images. Mostly I wanted to see what was blooming or what new insect species I could find. I ended up shooting mostly daisies today. I did locate another American Copper and took some shots of it. I will not be going back to the meadow for a few days, because I need to check on some other locations. So here is two images from the meadow.

I'm Back

Been a few days since I last posted anything.

 Been busy with company and the weather has been nasty, so I have not got out and done much photography. I was able to get out in the yard this afternoon and do a bit of shooting. It is slowly warming up again, so I will be out shooting photos again. This first image is some sort of bee, but not sure what yet. Still working on trying to ID it.

This next image is one of my garden flowers that I have no idea what it is called. So trying to ID this also. It grows every year in a different location. This year it is growing in two places.

Sunset

Had a very busy day...

I decided to go get a few more shots of the Pink lady's Slipper.

I also spent a few hours doing some yard work and photographing around the yard. The rain Lilies are starting to bloom. I have the white kind and the are really beautiful.

The spiders are out and about and hungry. This Flower spider is making a meal out of this moth.

To end my day I went down to the pond in hopes of a great sunset, but the clouds moved in quick and was only able to get a few shots. Plus my new photo back pack came today and I love it.

Spider and Slipper

A very warm day...

Well this morning I found this Running Crab Spider feeding on a Leaf Hopper in my garden. This is one of the 9 species of spiders I have in my garden. This species is my 3rd favorite of the local spiders.

This evening I rode down by the park and photographed some Pink Lady's Slippers. I counted 58 of them and decided to shot this one. I need to get some arm pads or where a longer shirt when I get this low to the ground. This one slipper has been growing in the same spot since 2005 when I first found it. They can live  along time if they are not disturbed.

Six-spotted Tiger Beetle

I spent most of the day chasing this beautiful beetle. I all most gave up, but just when I thought I would have to try another day one landed near my pond on a large rock. I put on a 36mm extension tube on my 100mm macro and placed my camera on my trusty tripod and moved in slow. Inch by inch I moved...I was in range and composed and fired away. Only shot 23 images before it flew off.

Heading out to a swampy place tomorrow in search of lady's-slippers and if I'm lucky will find the Ram's Head Lady's-slipper. I know they grow here in the county and the place I'm looking I have found them years ago. Another bike ride, but I enjoy it.