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. 

Chasing Butterflies

Today has been one of those days that are few and far between.

The last couple days I have been trying to get some photos of this hairstreak that has been eluding me.This morning I spotted it, but before I could even get close enough it flew away. I searched and searched, but no luck. I did see others, but they were just as fast. I think they were playing a game with me. So I came home and went back late this afternoon and had luck. After uploading all the images I took today...I can safely say I will be editing for the next month. I reviewed them quickly and I have many wonderful images. I'm so tired out that I passed up a great sunset tonight.

Coral Hairstreak - Satyrium titus

This is a new species that I can add to my life list. 

Painted Lady

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

Robber Flies

Bee-like Robber Fly - Laphria thoracica

Well something about the meadow keeps pulling me back. I'm totally in awe at the insect and wildflowers I am finding this year. Today was no different. As I was shooting the daisies this very cool looking robber fly landed. It was my second look at one of these this year.

 It was a perfect day out there and I was able to photograph many butterflies and other subjects. I will be going back in a few days to see what new is out there to discover.

 Meadow Meets Forest

Great Morning

It was  abit windy when I arrived to the meadows, but it was better than not going. I was able to photograph a mating pair of Common Green Darners.

Common Green Darner - Anax junius

They were not in the best spot to get a good background, but I still took the shot. It's not everyday when you can get this close to them. I also photographed a new species of moth that I can add to my life list.

Olive-shaded Bird-dropping Moth

I did photograph many other subjects and I am going back early in the morning in hopes to beat the wind.

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.

This will be short

Not much happened today...not up to speed today. I stayed around the house and photographed the insect life on the mock orange bush. Such a nice day, but when you don't feel good you must listen to your body.

Here are a few images form today...

 Clearwing Hummingbird Moth

 Mock Orange Flower

Bluebird Sky

Return to the Meadow

I went back to the meadow for the third day in a row and today was the best yet.

Six species of butterflies and 5 dragonfly species. Many birds singing and enjoyed the fresh taste of wild strawberries. YUM!!!

As I was photographing the berries I noticed some wild rose's near by and moved over to photograph them. So I moved my tripod and laid back on the ground and when I got up I realized I squished a bunch of berries on my white shirt. So I really got into photography today.

The first image is the wild rose before it opens.

This next image has some visitors.

Syrphid Flies enjoying the rose.

After I was done photographing the rose I moved back to a spot where I had seen two American Coppers the day before. So I sat down and watched, but nothing. So I walked around and one flew up and the chase was on. First I tried to use my macro lens to get close, but it would not have nothing to do with me getting close. So I attached a 36mm extension tube to my 300mm lens and was able to get a few decent shots. After about and hour it flew off and I could not locate it again.

Going to rain tonight and some tomorrow so I won't make it back out there until at least Friday. There is so much to photograph there and I still have not explored the full swamp and near by woods.

Beautiful Day!!

It was a great day to be outside. I spent about 4 hours today in the meadows and swamps searching for subjects to photograph. Many species flying around and many wildflowers. I plan on going back again tomorrow...just can't get enough of the outside and the beauty of the wilds. I added a two new species to my butterfly list today. The Eastern Pine Elfin and Common Ringlet.

Common Ringlet

I hope to find them again and get some better shots. They are so hard to get close too...

Here are a few more images I took today.

 Yellow Goat's Beard

Wild Columbine

Learning Patience

When I was younger my Dad taught me patience. He took me flyfishing and taught me to wait for the right time to move in on a fish that was feeding. He taught me to sit on the river bank and watch the waters surface for a trout to rise. I still flyfish and still have the patience he taught me. Now I use that patience while I'm out taking photographs. The hummingbird moth is a swift and fast flyer and don't hold still long. They move in on a flower and feed quickly form one blossom to another. So I sit and wait and wait for one to come to the flower I'm sitting by. It don't always work, but when it does it is a joy to be close to one of these small creatures. So patience is a big part of my photography. Waiting for the right light...the right sunset or flower to bloom.

Underwing Moth

Back to the Meadow

Went back to the meadow again today, but the lighting and wind was bad. I will try again when we get a better day. Did see plenty of dragonflies and butterflies, but no good shots. Sometimes that happens, but it is always nice to get out there...even if I don't get any shots.

Afternoon in a Meadow

I spent the afternoon in a swampy meadow. It was muggy and very warm...but the butterflies, Dragonflies and Bees did not mind. Spotted Knapweed and Wild Bergamot could be seen covering the meadow. I took well over 500 images and sweat enough to make my shirt wet, but it was well worth the trip. Will go back in a week to see what else I can find. I would like to go there early in the morning, but it's hard for me to do this...maybe I will try one of these cool mornings. Would be nice to find Dragonflies with dew on them.

Black Swallowtail Caterpiller

I have yet to see a Black Swallowtail Buterfly, but have found the caterpiller.

Leaffooted Bug - Merocoris distinctus

This is one strange looking insect...

Hovering Honeybee

My first image for the month of July....this little honeybee.

Robberflies

Robberfly-Diogmites Neoternatus

First View

Robberfly-Diogmites Neoternatus

Second View

Robberfly-Laphria Thoracica

This one mimics a bumblebee

Both of these were in my garden today.

Hummingbird Moth

                                 I love to watch these little moths...

Around the Yard

Was a long hot day today, but I did get out and take a few images...Plan on going to the beach tomorrow. Anyways the photo of the Phidippus Putnami or Jumping Spider was taken in my driveway. The little spider would not stay still long...so was only able to get one shot worth keeping.

The Treehopper was photographed in my garden...I think there was a big hatching of them. They are everywhere.